Chambray extinguishes OGC Nice Handball in the French Cup quarter-finals

OGC Nice Handball had a quarterfinal appointment in the French Cup. Away at Chambray, the Nice players failed to impose their rhythm in attack.

In great difficulty since the end of January, the players of OGC Nice Handball wanted to take advantage of the French Cup break to get back on track. Besides, the Eagles’ last success dates back to the final day of this competition against Bouillargues. Opposite them, Chambray had a slightly better record, but had the advantage of playing at home.

Despite a good start to the match, the Nice players commit too many fouls and get into difficulty. The game goes mainly through the wingers and Margot Le Blevec is penalized twice in the first six minutes. Nothing to worry coach Sébastien Mizoule on the bench, who shows his support for his player. Despite three periods of numerical inferiority, the Eagles remain close to the Chambray team on the scoreboard thanks in particular to some fine saves by Marija Colic.

Paradoxically, it is at seven against seven that the Nice players fall behind through lack of offensive success (6-3). Ehsan Abdelmalek attempts to organize the game and creates most of the visitors’ opportunities. Opposite, Chambray finds the gaps too easily and breaks down the Nice defense. Jovana Stoiljkovic and Lucie Modenel do the work in attack and give their team a four-goal lead.

As a good captain, Marine Dupuis sparks a revolt with three seven-meter throws converted (100%) in the first quarter of an hour. But that’s not enough. Goalkeeper Rinka Duijndam makes save after save. Another negative point for Nice: the non-performance of Marie-Hélène Sajka, far from her best level. The French international is struggling in attack and makes poor choices in the first half. As a result, Nice only scores nine goals, nearly half of them by Marine Dupuis, and finds itself trailing 17-9 at halftime. A gap that is almost insurmountable without an offensive reaction.

OGC Nice Handball overwhelmed

In the second half, OGC Nice Handball attempts to get back into the match. At least in the first few minutes. Even Sébastien Mizoule, calm as anything since the start of the match, loses his temper and forces his players to play with numerical inferiority for two minutes. The fouls keep coming.

Only Marine Dupuis and Ehsan Abdelmalek manage to create openings. In vain. A quarter of an hour from the end, with a seventeen-goal gap, the defeat takes on historic proportions.

Marie-Hélène Sajka eventually finds the answer and Cécilia Errin found the key to slow down the Chambray team in their quest for 40 goals scored in a match. But the damage is done.

Chambray wins without suspense (32-22) and qualifies for the semifinals. The Nice players will need to react on the field of Sambre, Friday March 13 at 8 p.m., to avoid seeing the top 4 slip away in the championship.