After securing their first win of the season last Saturday, Cavigal was back at Pasteur to challenge Besançon in a lower-table match. A game that was expected to be very tight between the 5th best defense (Nice Cavigal Handball) and the last attack of the championship (Grand Besançon Doubs Handball).
A close match was anticipated between two teams in search of confidence and positive results. This was indeed the case in the first quarter-hour with a tenacious Cavigal alternating between good and less good plays. Taking advantage of Besançon’s lack of precision, Asier Antonio’s men created an initial three-goal lead. Despite being outnumbered, Mocevic and Brkljacic got their team back on track. The game shifted in the 20th minute due to a massive defense by the Nice backline.
Despite an outstanding first half from Doubiste goalkeeper Milos Mocevic, it was not enough against the Maralpins’ onslaughts. His counterpart Gudjonsson was not to be outdone (30% of saves) and finished the job on the few dangerous opportunities faced by the red and black. While failures piled up for the visitors, Crivelli and Pirani led the Nice attack to offer a five-goal advantage before the break. Pushed back in defense, the men in white accumulated sanctions. Yet another offensive foul, this time by center Christopher Coreil, offered a last opportunity for Alexis Bon, who did not convert the chance. Overall, in the first thirty minutes, it was therefore logical that Nice led (16-10).
On an alternating current
Back from the locker rooms, the pace picked up a bit. Cavigal could then count on a tremendous Baptiste Gaillard, who scored eight goals in this match. The high defense from Nice made the Besançon attacks falter. Added to this was a hint of inaccuracy, and the lead quickly grew to seven goals with 20 minutes left. But Nice likes to play with fire and quickly conceded three goals, leaving the door open for a comeback from their opponent who needed no such invitation.
Logically exhausted by the sequence of a second highly physical match in five days, the Aiglons’ coach made a saving turn-over, allowing Nice to regain speed in their play. As a result, Nice regained a significant advantage and secured a well-deserved second home win (30-23).
In the standings, Cavigal climbed two places (8th with 5 points) and slightly distanced themselves from the relegation zone. The next match is on Friday with an away game at Saran Loiret (8:30 pm). A game you can once again watch live on Facebook.
