After 11 matches played since the beginning of the season, it is time to take stock of the mid-season performance of Cavigal Nice Handball for the 2020-2021 season. We will look at where the team from the French Riviera stands in the Proligue ranking, their defeats, victories, and the possible objectives for the red and black team.
A sluggish start to the season
At the opening of the championship on October 2 against Cherbourg, it was not expected that Cavigal would have such a poor start to their season. Two back-to-back blows deprived them of victory in the final moments. First, a narrow defeat and then a difficult-to-digest draw (30-30) against Strasbourg, as the red and black team had the game in their hands. The five losses are due to a drop in pace during the last quarter hour. Except for the heavy defeat against Saran with a score of 29 to 23, the Eagles were never outclassed.
The first doubts
When the final whistle blew at the Roger-Boisamé hall on October 24, Nice conceded their fifth consecutive match without a single victory. This new defeat against Pontault 28 to 25 was the trigger that would propel the Eagles into another dimension.
The rebirth
This trigger came a few weeks later at home at the Pasteur hall. An offensive display orchestrated by Jeremi Pirani and his ten goals demolished Angers (31-25). Nice could breathe with their first victory of the season. Over time and with each match, Asier Antonio and his men found a game plan that worked for them, along with consistency throughout the match. By fully exploiting the potential of their squad, Cavigal climbed to the 8th place in Proligue, gaining a slight edge over the three teams at the bottom of the ranking.
Symbolically, Nice closed this first half of the season with a victory (28-22) at Bullière. A benchmark victory that the red and black team aims to replicate. A master class performance on both sides of the field, with the team from Nice unthreatened from start to finish in those 60 minutes. In particular, a standout performance from Gretar Gudjonnson with 17 saves at 45% effectiveness.
Statistical summary
The Eagles rank among the best offenses in Proligue with a 5th place and an average of 27.82 goals per match. The top team is Nancy with 30.4 goals/match, and the last is Sarrebourg with 24.20 goals/match.
Regarding defense, the record is somewhat less flattering. Cavigal is 9th with 27.55 goals conceded per match. The top team is Cherbourg with 23.91 goals/match, and the last is Angers with 30.18 goals/match.
In the ranking of top scorers, the red and black team has no fewer than three players in the top 20. Captain Amigo Boada (44/74) is in 20th place, Alexis Bon (47/80) is in 16th place, and Jeremi Pirani holds a prestigious 5th place with 60 goals from 87 shots.
Another notable performance is that of goalkeeper Gretar Gudjonnson with 103 saves from 324 shots. He ranks 4th, just 14 saves away from the top position.
