After a three-week break, the women’s handball championship was back. For this 19th day, OGC Nice handball challenged the players of Besançon for a spot on the podium.
A highly significant match. This is what awaited the girls of OGC Nice handball this Saturday evening in their Charles-Ehrmann sports hall. On the verge of the podium, the Niçoises had the opportunity to temporarily climb to third place. To do so, they had to defeat Besançon. A team that hasn’t been very successful for the Azuréennes and who are on a positive streak with two wins in their last two matches. The Niçoises have been struggling a little more in the past month with a victory at Mérignac and two defeats against Brest and Chambray.
It was difficult to determine a favorite in this match before kickoff. Both teams got off to a good start, but Nice managed to pull away after a few minutes of play. The players of Sébastien Mizoule were six goals ahead after about ten minutes. A comfortable lead that the Niçoises managed to maintain until the end of the first half (19-15).
Determined, the Maralpines returned even stronger in the second half. Led by their captain Marine Dupuis, the Niçoises shone in attack. The former Nantes player even finished the match as co-top scorer with Marie-Hélène Sajka. With ten goals each (including five seven-meter throws for Dupuis), it was hard for the opponents to compete. However, the remarkable performance of Alizée Frécon-Demouge in great form (eight goals) should be noted.
But the Nice team collectively made the difference tonight. Louna Benezeth (3 goals), Marie Fall (4), and Adriana Holejova (3) perfectly complemented this attacking line, as did the goalkeeper Marija Colic, who was crucial with her decisive saves at key moments. Nice led by up to ten goals to ultimately win (37-32). Evidence of a brilliant offensive efficiency tonight.
With this result, OGC Nice handball temporarily moves up to the podium of the Ligue Butagaz Énergie, pending the matches of Dijon and Chambray. In any case, this result will boost the morale of the players before a trip on Friday to face Plan-de-Cuques.