OGC Nice Côte d’Azur Handball signed a narrow yet decisive victory on the Sambre Avesnois court (22–23), during the 17th day of Ligue Butagaz Énergie. A success achieved thanks to an outstanding performance by Eshan Abdelmalek.
Two struggling teams faced off Friday evening in Ligue Butagaz Énergie. On one side, Sambre, fighting to avoid relegation, had only two wins in 2026. On the other, OGC Nice Handball, despite being well positioned to play a leading role in the championship, has completely collapsed. Five matches without a win and the qualifying place for the European Cup seemed to be slipping away. It was time to bounce back. But without their best player Marie Sajka, injured in the back, everything seemed to predestine the Nice team to have a rough evening.
The start of the match immediately sets the tone: a tight duel, fast-paced, where each possession counts. Nice scores quickly thanks to Julie Pontoppidan. Sambre replies immediately through Mathilde Mélique. The two teams trade blows, and temporary exclusions follow quickly, proof of intense defensive commitment.
OGC Nice Handball takes a first lead just before halftime, notably thanks to Eshan Abdelmalek and captain Marine Dupuis (six goals), already very much in evidence. The end of the period is marked by a succession of penalties, including two exclusions for Sambre Avesnois. At halftime, the Nice team leads 12–15.
Eshan Abdelmalek in command
The second half starts at the same pace. Julie Sias brings Sambre Avesnois within two points on a penalty, but Marine Dupuis replies immediately. The Nice team maintains their lead thanks to their efficiency on seven-meter throws.
Around the 40th minute, the intensity of the match decreases. The Azuréennes rely on Eshan Abdelmalek to maintain their three-goal advantage. On the other side, Sambre Avesnois doesn’t give up. Hana Kvasova, very active (six goals), brings her team back to 18–19 then 19–20. Nice replies again through Marie Fall, but the home team continues to push. Three minutes from the end, Hana Kvasova brings Sambre Avesnois within two goals. Everything is back in play.
Both teams call a timeout in the final minutes. Sambre will come back to within one goal (22–23), but no more goals will be scored. OGC Nice Handball wins in a tense final stretch and can thank its most capped player, Eshan Abdelmalek (nine goals). In excellent form, unlike the rest of the team since returning from the international break, the 39-year-old Egyptian, in her 11th season with OGC Nice Handball, proves that she can be counted on to secure the top 3. With the promise of a first European campaign for the club since 2019.
With this result, the Nice team comes back to three points from the podium pending the results of their opponents.
Next match for the Eagles, Wednesday at home against Toulon. Kick-off at 8 p.m.
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