First match of the season and first victory for the Nice hockey players in La Roche-sur-Yon (3-0). A small feat by the Nice handball players who won in Dijon (28-23) despite a squad decimated by injuries.
The Eagles strike from the start
Semi-finalists last season (defeated by Anglet), the Eagles have perfectly begun the 2015-2016 season with a 3-0 victory against the promoted team from Vendée, La Roche-sur-Yon. Stan Sutor’s team takes the lead in the standings. It was the first match and especially the first shutout (a match without conceding a goal) for Vojtech Sedlacek. The Niçois started in the best possible way by leading at the end of the first period thanks to Bohdan Visnak. And at the start of the second period, Martin Slovak scored during a power play, as did the newcomer Matej Hamrák. No goals were scored in the final period. Notable performances were the two points (goals or assists) by captain Aurélien Maçon (2 assists), Martin Slovak (1 goal, 1 assist), and Bohdan Visnak (1 goal, 1 assist).
“The coaches asked us to be precise and efficient in defense. We opened the score and from there, we controlled the match” said Matej Hamrák, new to the Nice team and a scorer on Saturday night.
The next game is this Saturday (7 PM) at Jean-Bouin, with the visit of the Tours Remparts, defeated 5-3 at home by Caen.
OGC Nice Handball launched!
Without Cleopâtre Darleux, Samira Rocha, Arna Sif Palsdottir, and Justine Martel, the Nice handball players put on a strong performance in Dijon. A straightforward 28-23 victory (14-11 at halftime), a week after a logical defeat against the reigning French champions, Fleury-Loiret.
The Nice team took the lead right from the start of the match and never relinquished it: 6-3 (13th minute), 11-5 (21st minute) spurred on by the Lacrabére-Abdelmalek duo (7 of the 14 goals at halftime). At halftime, the gap was only three goals, 14-11.
Returning from the locker room, the scenario was identical with the gap fluctuating between three and four goals for more than twenty minutes (17-13 at the 33rd minute, 20-17 at the 42nd minute). Seven minutes before the end of the match, the two Nice sharpshooters Alexandra Lacrabère and the new artillery recruit Ehsan Abdelmalek each scored a goal to seal the game. With a four-goal lead four minutes before the end, Nice coasted and won confidently 28-23.
Nine goals for Abdelmalek, seven for Lacrabère. And to think that Hornyak isn’t even hitting her stride yet and Palsdottir is on the injured list. Once the team is complete, Sébastien Gardillou’s squad will be ready to challenge the top teams in this Women’s League.
And to recover the slew of injured players, it will take some time due to a dense schedule. As early as Sunday, the Nice team will be back on the field at Charles-Ehrmann for the derby against the Toulon-StCyr team.
OGC Nice Handball: Abdelmalek 9 goals, Lacrabère 7, Knutsdottir 4, Le Bihan 3, Edwige and Hornyak 2, Kouyaté 1.
