OGC Nice Handball dominated Le Havre (38–36) in a dense and rhythmic match. The Nice team built their victory on an effective attack, solid management of weak phases, and a better-controlled second half.
More than 15 days after the heavy defeat suffered on Metz’s field, OGC Nice Handball was back on the field. At home, Sébastien Mizoule’s players faced Le Havre, the bottom of the Ligue Butagaz Energie standings. For the Azuréennes, the objective was to bounce back against a team that had won only one game in 2026.
OGC Nice Handball took the upper hand in an open match from the first minutes. Both teams exchanged goals until 3–3. Nice then found a more stable rhythm. The first initiatives from Ehsan Abdelmalek and Margot Le Blévec gave continuity to Nice’s play. The team took the lead at 6–5 before widening the first gap.
The first half was played out on the Niçoises’ ability to vary the shooting zones. Le Havre responded at intervals, notably thanks to Lucile Roche. The Aiglonnes maintained control of the score until the break. The scoreboard showed 23–19 after the first 30 minutes.
The resumption confirmed this dynamic. The Maralpines imposed a faster pace. Marine Dupuis showed the way with a seven-meter throw while Ehsan Abdelmalek continued her fixating work. Margot Le Blévec found spaces in the central sector. The team brought the gap to +6 (29–23). This sequence influenced the rest of the match.
Le Havre tried to come back but several exclusions hindered the efforts of the visiting team, determined to make a mark against a team that remains fragile. The Niçoises took advantage of these moments to control possessions. The tempo management allowed them to maintain a sufficient margin despite the opposing pressure. Le Havre came back to within one goal in the last minute, but OGC Nice responded immediately. The last goal by Marie-Hélène Sajka set the score at (38–36).
A dense and regular Nice attack
Nice’s offensive performance relied on several players. Eshan Abdelmalek, the top scorer of the match, scored eight times. Margot Le Blévec added six goals. Captain Marine Dupuis contributed three goals from seven-meter throws. Dienaba Sy, Marie Sajka, not yet back to her best level, and Louna Benezeth, three goals each, completed Sébastien Mizoule’s team’s offensive production.
The variety of solutions maintained pressure on the Havre defense. Nice alternated long shots, wing situations, and fast breakaways. Transition sequences were exploited whenever possible. The team managed to maintain a high offensive volume throughout the encounter.
Nice went through several weak phases. Le Havre reduced the gap several times. The Niçoises responded with short but effective sequences. The six saves by Marija Colic weighed in these moments, as did the good management of timeouts used to stabilize the pace. While the match was not perfect, far from it, the players resisted the pressure.
Hopefully, this success illustrates the rise of the Nice group. With this result, OGC Nice Handball returns to 5th place in the Ligue Butagaz Energie with 41 points. The Azuréennes are four points behind Saint-Amand (4th). Next week, OGC Nice Handball will travel to Plan-de-Cuques’ court (6th, one point behind) for a promising match. The kickoff is next Friday at 8 PM.
