Out of the last eleven confrontations between these 2 teams, France has only won once! But it was on July 31 in testing match at Den Bosch. A victory that the Blues would have liked to confirm by surfing on the dynamics of the magnificent performances of this Euro 2025. But the Dutch are European champions and reigning Olympic champion…
The French in white jersey are preparing to deliver a defensive match against the “orange”, driven by their many supporters. The Netherlands obtained a first PC, repelled for the first time by Corentin Saunier in the 2 ‘, but transformed from a Push to Ras-de-Terre (1/0 for the Netherlands). Another Dutch PC borders on the French cage in 8 ‘. The Blues circulate the ball and upset the perfectly oiled collective game of “orange”. But this first quarter is played on a false rhythm with a French game a little too stereotypical game. 1/0 for the Netherlands at the end of the first quarter.
The Blues repel the opposing assaults by fighting on each ball. Beautiful rescue at the 17’de Corentin Saunier and De La Défense on a center of the right then on 2 shots with a goal perfectly pushed by the French goalkeeper, in large shape (19 ‘). Hope returns with a breakthrough by Lucas Montecot which obtains a first PC in the 26 ‘, pushed by the defense. As expected, the Dutch are in a dominant position and prevent our Blues from developing their offensive game. But with this score of 1 to 0 for the Netherlands, everything is possible in the 2nd period.
Barely the game taken up, the Dutch captain Thierry Brinkman doubles the putting by taking up a one -two 10m from the goals (2/0 – 31 ‘). The ball is circulating, but it is still the Dutch who are dangerous on an ultra-fast against, blocked by the Blues. The French mark on a PC, magnificent combination concluded by François Goyet (1/2 – 37 ‘). The Blues are embarrassing and projecting themselves as soon as they can in the direction of the Dutch goal. But the “orange” get a stroke for a stroke of the butt deemed voluntary in the circle. Fortunately (for the Blues!), The Dutch player misses the target. End of the third quarter 2/1 for the Netherlands.
The game resumes with bruises always as catchy, which fight on all the balls and proceed in the counter. Note the superb reflex stop by Corentin Saunier in 53 ‘. On a counter, France obtains a PC following a scoop poorly managed by the Dutch defense. A corner this time stopped by the “orange” defense. And it is the Netherlands that end French hopes on their 7th PC (3/1 – 57 ‘). The meeting ends with this score of 3 goals to 1 for the Netherlands.
If the Blues were a little timid in the first period, they had the merit of continuing to believe it, to fight and to create several occasions that could have hit the bull’s eye. And even if there is still a lot of efforts to be made to compete in permanently with the world top 5, today’s Blues can believe it. See you on Saturday for the bronze medal!
Testimony of François Goyet, captain of the Blues:
“We feel a certain frustration insofar as we beat them 15 days ago in the test match and that had given us a lot of confidence. We can also regret, because I have the feeling that we played a little with the handbrake, especially in the first half. However, led by a single goal at halftime, we could believe it and we believed it. It is a shame to have conceded this second entry goal of second half, because we showed good offensive wishes then, and even scored this goal which made them doubt. With this Stroke missed by the Dutchman, we even thought that the “hockey gods” were going to be with us again (laughs), but these are the world n ° 1 and their victory is logical. Despite the disillusionment, we must now project ourselves on the next match and seek, all together, this bronze medal which would reward all the efforts of the players and the staff and would rejuill the French hockey. “
Next Blues match: final ¾ bronze medal on Saturday August 16 at 3.30 p.m.
Statistics:
7 pc for the Netherlands against 5 for France
1 PS (Penalty Stroke) for the Netherlands
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article written by Eric Delemazure