The Aiglonnes were eliminated from the Coupe de France after a thrilling scenario against Besançon (27-26). A pity for Clément Alcacer’s players, who had dominated a large part of the match.
In an electric atmosphere at the Palais des Sports in Besançon, OGC Nice Handball saw their dream of qualification extinguished in the round of sixteen. The Niçoises delivered a solid first half, setting their pace against a struggling Bisontines side. As evidence, the Aiglonnes led (11-17) at halftime. But, as is often the case in these high-stakes games, everything was decided in the final seconds.
Leading for almost the entire match, Nice was caught at the wire by ESBF, driven by a decisive interception from Alizée Frécon-Demouge ten seconds before the end. The penalty shootout proved fatal. Marija Colic initially stopped the first opposing attempt. However, under pressure, the Aiglonnes eventually faltered, letting a qualification slip from their grasp.
A Cruel Defeat in the Penalty Shootout
Despite seven goals from Adriana Holejova and six from Djazz Chambertin, the Nice team struggled against Besançon’s surge in the second half. Jérôme Delarue, Besançon’s coach, acknowledged the intensity of this duel, stating, “Matches like this take points off my life.”
The next meeting for the Niçoises will be on Wednesday at 8:30 PM against Handball Plan-de-Cuques. An opportunity to bounce back quickly after this bitter elimination.
