Twins Lilou and Enola Berg combined for 13 goals, as France secured a dominating 30:25 win over Spain, to clinch a masterclass win in the last match of the opening day at North Macedonia 2024.

GROUP F
France vs Spain 30:25 (17:12)

France looked like the stronger side on paper between the two European sides colliding in the final match of the opening day at the 2024 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship, but there was no separating the two sides, as Spain enjoyed the better start of the match.

A combination of good defence and two strong shots from back Carmen Arroyo Pimienta helped Spain take an early 2:0 lead. France looked stunned and needed some time to regroup, after they were forced into some difficult shots, finding their way to the goal after only four minutes and four seconds.

But as France did wake up, it was game over for Spain. The resilient defence created by Eric Baradat’s side started frustrating Spain’s attack, which had no answer to create any meaningful situations. And with a 7:1 run from France, the match was turned on its head, with Spain scoring only once in eight minutes.

A fantastic defence also fueled three converted fast breaks for France, constantly denting Spain’s morale, with two team time-outs from coach Joaquin Rocamora failing to help Spain weather the storm, as France goalkeeper Alix Tignon finished the first half with 11 saves for a 47% saving efficiency.

From that moment on, it was a trademark France match, with eight different players scoring in the first half and none netting in more than four goals, with twin backs Lylou and Enola Borg combining for six goals. While France had a nine-goal lead after 24 minutes, Spain cut into it and ended the first half only five goals down, 17:12.

But Spain did believe in themselves and produced another good start of the second half, only failing to cut the gap to two goals, when line player Lyndie Tchaptchet, the younger sister of Lisa, currently playing for Spain’s senior national team, missed a one-on-one with France goalkeeper Romane Lehuault.

Sensing the danger, France went into their usual selves and again ramped up their defence, as they conceded only three goals between the 33rd and the 47th minutes, boosting the gap once again to seven goals, 23:16, as the game was over for Spain.

Spain cut the gap again to four goals, but the sense was that France, led by the Borg twins, who finished the match with 13 goals between them, was always going to pull through and dominate, such was their strength in defence. Eventually, Eric Baradat’s side clinched a 30:25 win, well-deserved after controlling more than 55 minutes of the match.

France have now tied Germany on the top of the group and will face Serbia in the next match, on Friday, as Spain meet Germany, in what are two pivotal matches in this group. If both France and Germany extend their winning streak before the mutual match, on Saturday, they will be through to the main round.

Alkaloid Player of the Match: Nina Perret (France)