In their den, Charles Ehrmann, OGC Nice Cรดte d’Azur Handball delivered a strong performance by defeating Chambray (28-24) during the 12th matchday of the Ligue Butagaz Energie.
It’s a four-game winning streak for OGC Nice! After a victory in their Sports Hall against St Amand (33-27), Claude Mirtillo’s protรฉgรฉs repeated the feat against a tough Chambray team, ranked 5th. A remarkable performance for the red and blacks. Ehsan Abdelmalek and her teammates have been relentless since the restart.
A Tight First Half
OGC Nice started the match with a bang. With goals from Marie Prouvensier and Barbara Moretto, the Nice handball players set the pace (2-0) before seeing their opponents quickly catch up (2-2). Intensity was high at the start, and fighting spirit was palpable. Despite being down a player for two minutes, Marija Colic’s teammates, well-positioned in goal, continued to hold Chambray to a draw (4-4) after about ten minutes of play. Jennela Blonbou, a former Nice player now with Chambray, hurt her old team by scoring her second goal (5-4). A superb save by Marija Colic followed by a goal from Marie Provencier allowed Nice to regain the lead (7-6). With focus and agility, the Southerners had a very serious first half. A seven-meter throw by Barbara Moretto and a perfectly executed counterattack by Djazz Chambertin created the first significant gap in the match (10-7).
Just minutes before halftime, Nice maintained their lead. Chambray faced a determined team, riding high on confidence after recent weeks (13-10). The number 26, Barbara Moretto, didn’t hesitate on her seven-meter throws, helping the local team widen the gap (15-11). Despite Ana Paula Rodrigues’ solo efforts, Chambray trailed by three points (16-13) at halftime.
A Controlled Second Half
Substitute goalkeeper Jovanna Miceskva made an immediate impact at the start of the second half with a save on a seven-meter throw. Despite some mishaps, the local team maintained the scoreline and even improved it with a long-distance shot by Barbara Moretto (18-13). A lack of concentration and some luck for Chambray led to a logical comeback (18-15). Delivering a flawless performance, Barbara Moretto continued with her 9th goal of the night (19-15). Tension rose between the two teams, with Chambray, driven by Jovana Stoiljkovic, fighting back into the match (19-17). The Aiglonnes experienced a lull in the second half, giving Chambray the chance to equalize with a seven-meter throw, but the crossbar saved OGC Nice (19-18). The Moretto recital! Once again, a goal from number 26 gave her team breathing room (20-18). The ball moved well, and the captain orchestrated with a surgical pass to Marie Provencier, who finished with a subtle lob into the corner (22-18).
Nice’s relentless defense suffocated Chambray, who failed to score. Ehsan Abdelmalek and her teammates managed their lead with fifteen minutes left to play (23-18). The captain paved the way for success with an unstoppable strike (24-18). Despite being 13th in the standings, OGC Nice seemed to have the upper hand on their opponents. Chambray gave their all at the end, refusing to let go (25-21). Talented and fierce, number 86 and OGC Nice’s leader, Ehsan Abdelmalek, continued her stellar performance with another outstanding goal (26-22). After a goal, she excelled in her assists, delivering a perfect pass to Marie Fall (27-23). As a final flourish, the captain concluded the show (28-24). OGC Nice climbed to 5th place in the standings.
