It’s a remarkable achievement by the women from Nice to snatch a draw against the leader of the LFH championship: CJF Fleury Loiret Handball.
After a high-pressure match last weekend, where they conceded defeat in the final minutes, Sébastien GARDILLOU’s team learned from their loss.
The match was expected to be challenging against a team with nothing left to prove. Holding first place far ahead of the second-placed team and having only one loss since the beginning of the championship, CFJ Fleury Loiret Handball is a formidable opponent. However, the women from Nice were not intimidated and put on an impressive performance.
Leading the score for nearly 10 minutes in the first half, OGC Nice made some mistakes. Walking, sanctions, offensive fouls—errors that benefited the Fleuryssoises, allowing them to take a lead with a score of 13-10 at halftime.
The women from Nice would not manage to regain the lead and were trailing until the last seconds.
At 26 minutes into the match, when Fleury Loiret led 19-15, the incredible happened.
OGC Nice took control and surged forward. Two goals by LACRABERE, a penalty by ESCRIBANO, a goal by SY, and 2 consecutive saves by DARLEUX—in 3 minutes and 30 seconds, the women from Nice burst into action and secured a 19-19 draw.
Let’s hope to see this outstanding performance again on Wednesday, February 4, at 8:30 PM at the Halle des Sports in Nice against Issy Paris Hand, currently the second in the championship.
Christelle Del Peschio
