This Wednesday evening, the Nice women started their championship. The Aiglonnes welcomed Saint-Amand for the first day of the Ligue Butagaz Energie. A successful start with a victory (36-27) for OGC Nice Handball.
End of preparation, the serious matters begin for the Aiglonnes. OGC Nice Cรดte d’Azur started its championship this Wednesday, August 30, hosting Saint-Amand. The match took place, as usual, at the Charles Ehrmann Sports Hall. Saint-Amand is based in the Nord department. The team narrowly maintained its position in the first division last year. The kickoff was at 8:30 PM.
In front of a partially filled hall, the beginning of the match was balanced between the two teams. It was Saint-Amand who took the lead first with a seven-meter throw in the 5th minute (2-4). The Nice women were trailing early in the game. But the Aiglonnes took the lead for the first time in the 13th minute (10-9), with a new goal from the new recruit Raรฏssa Dapina. The confrontation remained close between the two teams up until the 20th minute (14-13). Numerous saves by the goalkeeper Marija Colic allowed OGC Nice to create a small gap from its opponent (17-14). The captain Ehsan Abdelmalek scored the last goal of this first half with a seven-meter throw. After a challenging start, OGC Nice was ahead at the break. The Aiglonnes gradually took control of the match (20-16).
The Aiglonnes lead the race
Coach Clรฉment Alcacer’s players began the second half with a substantial lead. This time, the Nice women started well in this second act and maintained the gap with their evening’s opponent in the 35th minute (23-17). The team relied on several balls recovered on defense and quick transition goals. Coming in at halftime, Nicole Wiggins did her job in the goals, like her teammate Colic in the first half. Thanks to a new goal by Margot Le Blevec, Nice increased their lead in the 43rd minute (26-18).
Saint-Amand tried to come back. However, the Northerners faced a solid defensive block. The SAH scored only three goals since the game resumed. Consequently, the gap widened with each goal by the red and black team (28-19) a quarter of an hour before the end of the match. Thus, the Nice women led the race and were no longer worried by their opponent. In the 50th minute, the Aiglonnes surpassed the thirty-goal mark (30-21).
Despite a last-minute comeback attempt by Saint-Amand, OGC Nice Cรดte d’Azur Handball won decisively in this match (36-27). The Aiglonnes led for almost the entire match, despite a slightly difficult start. The Nice women were effective in attack and united in defense, a well-deserved victory for the team.
