After a perfect start to the season, OGC Nice handball had a meeting with the French Cup this Friday evening. On the field of Plan-de-Cuques, the Niçoises played a full match in the Bouches du Rhône.
Four matches, four victories! OGC Nice handball is experiencing a perfect start to the 2025/2026 season in the championship. Engaged in the French Cup, the Azuréennes have already defeated Toulon on the first day to kick off their season. For this second act out of the four scheduled, Plan-de-Cuques was the team standing in the way of the Maralpines. A team that Sébastien Mizoule’s players had already encountered last month in the Ligue Butagaz Énergie (26-25 victory). A match that was not easy to handle.
As has been the case for the past two weeks, Nice started the match strongly. Marie-Hélène Sajka, who was on the bench for the last match against Dijon, perfectly launches her teammates. Well supported by Dienaba Sy and Margot Le Blevec, OGC Nice Handball takes a large lead by going 1-6 up after just eight minutes of play. In goal, the Nice goalkeeper is shining. Nothing gets past her, and the gap continues to widen for Nice, who leads by +7 after a quarter of an hour of play.
Just when it seemed the hardest part was over, Plan-de-Cuques managed to claw their way back into the game at the end of the first half, thanks in part to Elisme-Deliane. At halftime, the score is only (13-16) in favor of the visitors.
Upon returning to the pitch, the gap narrows even further. The locals come within a single goal of the Niçoises. The match becomes tense, and Sébastien Mizoule decides to bring back Marie Hélène Sajka twenty minutes before the end of the match. The French back starts her show and scores six goals (twelve throughout the game). On the other side, Héléna Mathon tries to bring her teammates back up to level, but the Maralpines soar on the scoreboard.
OGC Nice handball eventually wins (27-32), not without difficulty but with style, taking sole lead of pool C. For the third match, they will host the Ardéchoises from Pouzin (D2F) on November 15th.
Before that, Marine Dupuis’ partners will face two giants of the championship with an away game at Brest on Wednesday followed by the reception of Metz next Saturday!
