According to major media reports, the French team dominated Croatia for the first time in Bjelovar on Thursday (19-30). The match illustrated the gap between the two teams, with France imposing a sustained pace from the start to build a comfortable lead before halftime. In the second half, numerous rotations in the French squad allowed Croatia to slightly reduce the gap without ever questioning the outcome.
The victory marks France's third consecutive win over Croatia in the qualifiers and confirms their supremacy by winning away. The French team has completed a third flawless performance in the qualifiers, having previously easily defeated Kosovo and Finland. The result consolidates France's first place in the group standings, getting them closer to direct qualification for the final phase of Euro 2026.
Early qualification for the continental tournament, scheduled in five Central and Eastern European nations, is now within reach. Qualification could be confirmed as early as the next match, during the return leg scheduled on French soil. The French team can validate their ticket for the 2026 European Championship this Sunday (4:30 PM) by defeating Croatia at the Arènes de Metz.
A victory would be enough to definitively seal first place in the group, making the last two matches of the phase without stakes. The team, recent world medalists having won bronze at the World Cup in December last year, perfectly fulfilled its mission and can now approach the next meeting with serenity and ambition.