The start was slow, as the team was largely renewed. Valérie Nicolas and her teammates will need the entire first half of the season for chemistry to develop, for the girls to get to know and appreciate each other. This is followed by 11 matches without defeat for the Niçoise team (10 wins and one draw).
On Saturday, May 8th, for their last match of the season, Valérie Nicolas and Fanta Diagne’s teammates delivered. Victorious 40 to 22 against Palente – Orchamps (21-6), they maintain their unbeaten record in the second half of the season.
The supporters were not disappointed. There was a big-match atmosphere at Les Eucalyptus, with cheerleaders, music, Brazilian dancers, the involvement of mini-handball children, and a large crowd, with the minister-mayor and elected officials at the forefront; the stands were packed to celebrate the advancement to D2 secured two games earlier.
At the final whistle, the crowd gave a long ovation to the girls who, on the field, danced with joy to the wild rhythms of the samba.
The players of Franck Bulleux and Pablo Bonneau end the season with the second-best attack (698 goals) and the second-best defense (546 goals) across all groups.
ASPTT Nice has earned the qualifying ticket for D2 and can be proud of reaching their goal: the fourth promotion in four years.
Next season, Abbeville, Chambray, and ASUL Vaulx en Velin will join them in the antechamber of the elite women’s league!
Hats off!
By ASPTT Nice
Delphine Poquet
