OGC Nice Handball had a disappointing weekend. Facing Dijon, the Niçoises were defeated and are now temporarily three points away from Europe.
With five matchdays left in the Ligue Butagaz Energie, there are matches that absolutely must not be lost. This afternoon’s match was a prime example. Against the Dijon team, the Niçoises faced a team competing for one of the four European spots. With a one-point deficit to the Eaglets before the match, but a game in hand for Dijon, nothing was decided.
Nevertheless, victory was imperative. And Sébastien Mizoule’s players were well aware of it at the start of the match. Captain Marine Dupuis and Marie Fall stood out early on, giving the team a +4 lead after just ten minutes of play. This advantage was gradually reduced by Dijon throughout the first half. Four minutes before the teams returned to the locker room, they were tied (9-9). Dijon accelerated to regain the lead significantly, scoring four consecutive goals to lead (12-10) at halftime.
Still dominant, Marine Dupuis (7 goals) brought her teammates level at the start of the second half. But once again, the Niçoises experienced lapses and conceded two series of four unanswered goals. In a tight battle with five minutes remaining, the Niçoises were once more surpassed in the final minutes, missing the chance to move ahead in the standings against the home team.
Dijon won (29-25) and took a significant step towards European qualification. Nice remains in fifth place but now with a three-point deficit and an extra game played. In other words, the mission looks challenging but not impossible. However, they will need to win at least three of the last four matches to hope for the much-coveted qualification on the Côte d’Azur.
The next meeting for the Eaglets is on Wednesday, May 21 at home against Toulon.
