France women strengthen Euro position with Croatia win

France women remain at the top of Group D after making it two wins from two at the European Championship. The result leaves Cesar Hernandez’s team level with Italy, who have the same record, and gives France a strong position after the opening two rounds. Their next opportunity to extend that run comes against Montenegro on Monday.

France overcame Croatia 3-0 at Gothenburg’s Scandinavium, taking the sets 25-16, 25-17 and 25-22 in one hour and 12 minutes. The French team took early control of the opening set with a quick four-point run and created a seven-point advantage before Croatia reduced the gap. France responded by restoring its lead and closed out the set at the second opportunity.

The second set stayed close at the start, with neither side able to build more than a two-point advantage. France then increased the pressure and moved seven points clear late in the set. Croatia threatened briefly with three successive points, but the French response was decisive, with a five-point finish securing a 2-0 lead.

Croatia opened the third set with the first two points and remained within one point for a long stretch. France eventually created a three-point margin midway through the set and kept control as the advantage fluctuated between two and three points. The Croatians never overturned that deficit, and France completed the victory on its second match point. Cyrielle Depie scored 19 points for France, while Samanta Fabris led Croatia with 10. Montenegro, France’s next opponent, have lost both of their matches so far.