During the EHF EURO 2026 qualifiers, the Croatian women's handball team faced a significant defeat against France, with a final score of 19:30 in Bjelovar. Coach Ivica Obrvan expressed a mix of satisfaction and disappointment post-match. He highlighted that while the team's fighting spirit was commendable, there were numerous technical errors that were particularly prominent under pressure. The team seemed intimidated in the first half by the physicality and reputation of the French players, which contributed to their poor performance in that period.

Despite the defeat, Obrvan noted improvements in the second half, where the team managed to mitigate some damage to the scoreline. He acknowledged the high level of competition and the gap currently existing between the two teams, stating that France is simply better at this point in time. He emphasized the importance of learning from the mistakes made during the match in preparation for their upcoming rematch against the same French team in Metz, scheduled for the following Sunday.

As the Croatian team looks ahead to the next match, the focus will be on rigorous analysis and improvement. The coach's insights underline the challenges they face against a strong opponent like France, and the need for the players to adapt quickly and maintain physicality throughout the game. This upcoming rematch will be crucial for Croatia as they seek to regain momentum in the qualifiers.