Great Britain’s women secured a morale-boosting 12–11 victory over France in a closely contested friendly match as both teams continue preparations for this summer’s World Championships in Singapore.

Played at Taverny, near Paris, the match featured two teams in transition, both integrating new talent and fine-tuning their tactics ahead of a pivotal international tournament for both programmes.

The first half firmly belonged to the British side, who played with purpose and control. Clinical on both ends of the pool, they built a four-goal lead and appeared in full command by halftime. But the French, fielding a youthful and reshuffled roster, responded with intensity in the second half. A burst of momentum saw them not only erase the deficit but take a two-goal lead midway through the final quarter.

The closing minutes were fiercely contested, with both teams pushing physically and tactically. France’s Ema Vernoux, one of the team’s standout figures, netted four goals and led the home side’s spirited comeback. But Great Britain held their nerve when it mattered most, regaining the lead late on and defending well in the final seconds to seal the win.

The fixture is part of a joint training camp at INSEP, offering valuable high-level competition for both teams ahead of the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Drawn into the same group alongside Spain and South Africa, France and Great Britain will face each other again in a much higher-stakes environment this summer.

With Spain expected to top the group, the likely winner between GB and France will claim second place and a strong shot at a top-eight finish — a historic achievement within reach for both programs.

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