OGC Nice handball won at Saint‑Amand at the end of a tight match and concluded its season in sixth place, which could lead to a possible candidacy for a European Wild Card. Whitney Semedo secured the victory late in the match.
OGC Nice Handball ended its season with a precious victory at Saint‑Amand‑les‑Eaux, (22-21), at the end of a closely contested but generally controlled match. This success allows the Nice players to finish in sixth place in the Ligue Butagaz Énergie, a ranking that opens the door to a potential European qualification. To achieve this, the club will need to submit a Wild Card request to the Women’s Handball League, a move now fully justified by the team’s strong finish to the season.
Facing an Amandine team already assured of its European qualification since its victory at Le Havre, the Eagles quickly took control. The Azure players led from the seventh minute after a hesitant start and rarely let go, despite the gap remaining tight. Saint‑Amand only took the lead back three minutes into the second half, at 19-18, before Nice regained control of the match.
A close encounter but well managed by a disciplined Nice collective
The Maralpines built their victory on compact defense and an ability to respond to every opposing threat. Captain Marine Dupuis once again led the Nice attack with great consistency, while Dienaba Sy and Wendy Semedo Monteiro provided valuable solutions at key moments. The Nice players managed to absorb temporary exclusions and maintain their structure, even when Saint‑Amand attempted to accelerate.
The match was energy-intensive, as Sébastien Mizoule acknowledged after the game. Despite this, OGC Nice handball maintained mental control that allowed them to stay ahead in the final minutes.
The outcome was in keeping with the match—tense and uncertain. Tied at 21-21 five minutes from the end, the Nice players built one final patient attack before Whitney Semedo unleashed a powerful shot under the crossbar, securing the winning goal a minute from time. A strong gesture, symbolic of the rise of the young player trained by the club.
A performance that was praised by the coach after the game. Sébastien Mizoule commended Whitney Semedo and Isabela Da Cruz, both products of the youth academy and authors of a remarkable second half. This progress confirms the quality of work done with young players and their ability to integrate at the highest level.
A season finale that opens new perspectives
This victory concludes a positive streak where Nice has only lost to Brest in the past month and a half. Despite the absences of Ehsan Abdelmalek and Marie‑Hélène Sajka, who left to compete in the Africa Cup with Al‑Ahly, the Nice collective managed to reinvent itself and maintain a high level of performance.
Nice spent much of the season between third and sixth place despite a very difficult winter in terms of results. The final sixth-place finish is no accident. It reflects the group’s consistency and its potential for next season. Now the ball is in the court of the club’s management to consider what comes next and confirm the club’s European ambitions for next season.
Individual statistics
Marine Dupuis finishes as Nice’s top scorer with ten goals tonight, including six from seven-meter shots. Whitney Semedo scored the decisive goal and delivered a second half full of impact. Isabela Da Cruz scored twice, confirming her progress. Dienaba Sy scored three goals and brought power to positional play. Wendy Semedo Monteiro also stood out (two goals) by being effective in battles. Marie Fall, Margot Le Blévec, Opelia Ondono and Julie Pontoppidan each added a goal.
Time for rest for the players who have had a season full of twists and turns with a potential European qualification spot at stake.
