Main Round Group I: France and RHF for top spot, Bregar goes against Slovenia

Despite the two teams qualified through to the quarter-finals from Main Round Group I decided already – France and RHF will battle it out for top spot in the final game on Monday night – the last day of main round action in Granollers will be a strange one for one coach, at least.

When Uros Bregar walks out for the 18:00 game, he will have to make sure he goes to the correct bench – that of Serbia and not that of Slovenia, their opponents, and a team he coached and made his name with.

The opening game of the day sees Poland and Montenegro – two teams undergoing a big change in playing personnel look to end their Spain 2021 experience with a victory.

Poland vs Montenegro 15:30 CET

Poland and Montenegro meet for the first time in an IHF Women’s World Championship, but in their six previous competitive meetings – all European Championship qualification matches – the Montenegrins have a 100% winning record.

Last time they met in a competitive match was in June 2014 with Montenegro taking a 25:22 away victory, while previous results saw 25:21, 32:23, 31:27, 35:32 and 31:21 victory for the side from southern Europe.

Despite these historic results, Poland impressed last time out at Spain 2021, defeating Slovenia 26:25, while Montenegro suffered at the hands of RHF, 25:31.

“We do not want to play such a role and we do not need it,” said Poland’s Dagmara Nocun about going into the match as possible favourites, thanks to their current form. “We know that we will do our best and leave our hearts on the dancefloor. Win or lose, we will give 120%.”

Giving 200, appearances, in a Poland shirt is Kinga Achruk, just the sixth player in history of the squad to make the milestone, according to ZPRP.pl.

“It's a beautiful feeling,” she told the Polish Handball Federation website. “Each match is unique and playing so many matches with the Eagle (Polish emblem) on your chest is a great pride. I never really counted these games, but it was special for me.”

Serbia vs Slovenia 18:00 CET

Dragan Adzic vs Uros Bregar, but it is not Montenegro vs Slovenia, it is Serbia vs Slovenia and Adzic is coaching Slovenia.

While handball has many reunions every season between players and coaches, emotions will be stirred for Bregar and Slovenian handball fans when they see him with his Serbia tracksuit on and sitting across from their bench.

Adzic’s side have already achieved their pre-tournament goal – qualification for the main round – but like Serbia, will want to take a victory home.

“Serbia pleasantly surprised me here in Spain,” said Adzic ahead of the match and who told ihf.info earlier in the championship that he had spoken to Bregar before taking the job.

“I appreciate the work of Uroš Bregar and I knew that he would try to get the best out of his players [and] I wonder how our players will react to playing against their former coach. I hope they will play as before, without surrender.”

RHF vs France 20:30 CET

Olympic Games Rio 2016 final: Russia beat France 22:19 to take gold, Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 final: France beat ROC 30:25 to take gold.

Recent history is big between these two, but on Monday night they play just for the right to win their main round group and face Brazil in the quarter-finals of Spain 2021 – a competition they are both unbeaten in after five games.

However, France have five victories from their five, while RHF have four and a draw against Slovenia.

“I am sure that this will be the most difficult game before the play-off stage, and, possibly, in the entire tournament,” said Yaroslava Frolova to rushandball.ru. 

“The French women are distinguished by high speed, high-quality active protection. To cope with such a difficult opponent, you need to give the maximum. If we can do this, we will be able to do everything. In the French national team, two of my club players play, sometimes we meet at the hotel, exchange a few words, but we did not discuss tomorrow's match.”

Those two players are the influential centre back Grace Zaadi Duena and line player Beatrice Edwige and the club is Rostov-Don, currently sitting second in their group with six wins from eight games, with LADA left back Veronika Nikitina excited to take to the court again.

“Everyone wants to play with strong opponents, even without regard to revenge,” she said. “We must show that we must be respected. Let's see what the closest rival is now.”

France coach Olivier Krumbholz has made two changes to his squad ahead of the match with Orlane Kanor called up and Kalidiatou Niakate leaving the squad for tactical reasons. Oriane Ondono (sprained right ankle) is replaced by Laura Flippes who had left the squad earlier on in the competition with her ankle injury.

Kanor who knows what it is like to win an IHF Women’s World Championship (in 2017) has returned to full fitness following an injury to her Achilles tendon back in April.

“From now on, there is a certainty: the quality of the opponents will be exceptional,” said Krumbholz ahead of the game. “Where we find a little fluidity and ease in attack, we are capable because we have shown it in the recent past, with a lot of pressure on the shoulders, whether we want to or not.”

“Russia has changed,” added France goalkeeper Cleopatre Darleux. “But they’re still good, there are only good players. We will play hard to win.”