Third in 2025 and second in 2024, OGC Nice continues the 2026 Sport-boules League M1 edition with the objective of aiming for final victory. In Mâcon, during the second stage, the Côte d’Azur team reached the semi-finals before losing to Saint-Quentin-Fallavier.
The city of Mâcon hosted the second stage of the 2026 Sport-Boules League M1 edition. OGC Nice was in a group announced as difficult. Several competing teams were aiming for final victory. This context provided a test to measure Nice’s ambitions.
Friday evening, Nice dominated Métropole de Lyon. The match long favored the Côte d’Azur team. The scoreboard showed 12 to 0 before a Lyon comeback late in the game. The opposing reaction narrowed the gap without changing the outcome. Nice won 12 to 8.
Saturday morning, Fontaine, winner of the first stage, faced the Nice team. The confrontation quickly turned in Nice’s favor. The final score, 13 to 4, confirmed Côte d’Azur’s mastery.
The third match opposed Nice to Plaine de l’Ain. The matchup proved closer. Plaine de l’Ain won 7 to 5, with a two-point difference. This result tightened the standings in group 3.
Three teams then had two victories: Métropole de Lyon, Plaine de l’Ain and Nice. Fontaine remained winless. The overall goal average separated the teams. Nice finished first with a differential of +11. Plaine de l’Ain and Métropole de Lyon showed +10. This first place opened access to the semi-finals.
A semi-final overturned by Saint-Quentin-Fallavier
In the semi-final, Nice faced Saint-Quentin-Fallavier again. The match started to Nice’s advantage. Nice led 4 to 0. Saint-Quentin-Fallavier came back to 4 to 3 at halftime.
Cancellations then followed one another. Jérémy Micoud signed a cancellation for Nice. Loïc Triomphe made three for Saint-Quentin-Fallavier. Bastien Paradis had a scoring bowl at point. The attempt, judged a bit strong, left two points on the ground.
Twenty minutes before the end of regulation time, Saint-Quentin-Fallavier took the lead, 5 to 4. Nice then conceded three additional points, bringing the score to 8 to 4. The final lead did not allow the match to be revived. Saint-Quentin-Fallavier won 9 to 4 and reached the final.
In the other semi-final, Décines faced CRO Lyon. CRO Lyon prevailed and qualified for the final. In the final match, CRO Lyon beat Saint-Quentin-Fallavier 9 to 2.
Nice leaves Mâcon with ten additional points. The total now reaches 20 points in the overall standings. This total places the club in seventh position. The gap with the new leader, CRO Lyon, is 14 points.
In Mâcon, OGC Nice was represented by Didier Abrate, Frédéric Ascensi, Emmanuel Bilon, Guillaume Abelfo, Jérémy Micoud and Bastien Paradis. This team remains committed to a dense season, structured around several stages.
The fifth stage of the Sport-Boules League M1 will take place in Nice on April 3 and 4, 2026. This home match will be an important moment in the race for the overall standings. The Côte d’Azur team will face its direct opponents in a context where every point will count to stay in touch with the top spots.
After a third place in 2025 and a second in 2024, OGC Nice continues a regular cycle in League M1. The Mâcon stage confirms a presence in the final four but reminds us of the demands of the national level. The continuation of the competition will determine the Nice team’s ability to remain in contention for final victory.
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