For their first match of the season, Cavigal Nice Handball traveled to Normandy to face JS Cherbourg Manche Handball. After an intense match, the team from Nice was defeated by one goal (30-29). A rather cruel defeat, but one that reflects a lot of positive aspects.
“It’s a shame.” That was the thought of the Nice players at the end of the match. It’s a tenacious and courageous Cavigal that left Cherbourg without any points but with their heads held high. Nevertheless, Nice showed a positive side throughout the match.
Nice and Cherbourg were very close
During the first eight minutes of the game, the two teams were evenly matched, with the score at 4-4. But thanks to players like Jeremi Pirani and Alexis Bon, Nice took the lead, showing a score of 5-8 after 15 minutes.
With the solid defense of Romain Quatrevaux in goal, Cavigal seemed to take control of the match (8-13; 23rd minute). The halftime score was 9-14, favoring the Azuréens, who were on a good streak.
Horat, the “executioner” of Cavigal
With a 6-goal lead (10-16; 31st minute), everyone thought the Nice team had done the hardest part. But the reaction from the Cherbourg players was immediate. Cavigal conceded a string of 4 goals (14-16; 32nd minute) by Jason Muel. The home team even managed to pull even at 17-17 in the 36th minute.
Everything had to be redone for both teams. Neither took a decisive lead over the other (21-20; 41st minute). The turning point of the match came at the end. As the Normans were leading 30-26 in the 57th minute, the Nice team pushed back and accelerated. Cherbourg conceded a 3-0 run (30-29; 59th minute).
The visitors tried everything and launched a final counterattack. There was hope for a fantastic comeback from Eduard Fernández Roura’s players, but a decisive save by goalkeeper Sven Horvat (Cherbourg) crushed Cavigal’s hopes. The match ended with a whistle. Cherbourg narrowly won 30-29.
Cavigal thus began their 2020/2021 Proligue season with a narrow defeat against Cherbourg. But with such a performance, the Nice team can rely on their solid gameplay in their upcoming home match against Strasbourg (October 9th, 8:30 PM).
