LFH Division 1, Women – Round 24 - Second article

METZ HANDBALL VS CHAMBRAY TOURAINE HANDBALL 12/05/2024 - 3PM

The golden way?
After their decisive victory in Brest, Metz is on track for their 26th French championship title. However, they cannot afford any missteps in the last three league matches, as Brest will remain vigilant for any slip-ups. The road ahead will still be challenging. They first host Chambray, currently fifth, before traveling to face third-placed Paris 92 and concluding their season against sixth-placed Plan de Cuques. Despite a single misstep against Brest earlier in the season, missing a penalty at the buzzer, Metz has dominated the championship. Their top position is well-deserved, boasting the best defense and offense in the league, along with arguably the best goalkeeper duo, likely future members of the French national team.

The arena will undoubtedly be electric as fans rally behind them towards the title, not to mention their upcoming participation in the Champions League Final Four in early June. Although this won't impact the domestic championship, it allows the team to remain focused on their league campaign. In the clash against Chambray, who secured a comprehensive victory over St Amand the previous week, Metz will face a defensive powerhouse. However, with players like Sarah Bouktit and Kristina Jorgensen leading their attack, Metz has the firepower to overcome Chambray's defense.

Kristina's exceptional mid-range game and Alina Greejseels' determined presence will complement each other, exploiting any gaps in Chambray's defense. While Chambray may hold out defensively for one half, they are likely to falter in the second, allowing Metz, led by players like Chloé Valentini, to capitalize on the opportunities. Ultimately, a scoreline of 35-28 is anticipated, with Chambray succumbing in the second half as Metz edges closer to the title.


PARIS 92 VS STRASBOURG ACHENHEIM TRUCHTERSHEIM HANDBALL - 12/05/ 2024 - 5PM

Maintaining as a loser?
Paris 92 has just been caught off guard in Dijon, losing their third place to Nantes Neptunes. However, with one match in hand, Paris has the opportunity to reclaim their position this Sunday. Nantes has already played and won against Mérignac, breezing into the European League final four this weekend. Parisians must secure a win against Strasbourg, who took a significant step towards survival with their recent victory over Mérignac.

Strasbourg's journey to victory was not without its challenges. Trailing for most of the match, they managed to seize control in the final ten minutes, clinching a narrow 24-23 win. With a four-point lead over Stella, they are in a favorable position for survival with only three matches remaining. However, this could lead to a slight relaxation in their gameplay, which may have positive offensive implications but negative defensive consequences.

The diminished engagement may allow Parisian players like Janela Blonbou and Camila Micijevic to capitalize on their scoring prowess, exploiting the gaps left by Strasbourg's defense. While Strasbourg emphasizes the goalkeeping skills of Léa Fargues from a distance, Paris's technical abilities are likely to dominate, resulting in a high-scoring affair for the Parisians.
On the other hand, Strasbourg will likely play with a sense of freedom, injecting more movement and speed into their game. Dalila Abdesselam, instrumental in rallying her team in their previous victory, will attempt to lead her team once again. However, their reliance on right-handed players could hinder their ability to break through Paris's defense effectively.

Ultimately, Paris is expected to secure a comfortable victory, potentially reaching a scoreline of around 35-28. This victory would restore Paris's position in third place with three matches remaining. Despite their defeat, Strasbourg could secure their survival if Stella loses against Brest.

ST AMAND HANDBALL – PORTE DU HAINAUT VS ES BESANÇON FÉMININ - 12/05/2024 - 4PM

The magic of the North
With only three matches left in the season, two teams find themselves with little to play for except jostling for position in the standings. Saint Amand currently sits in 10th place, three points behind Nice, while Besançon is in 8th place, also three points adrift of Dijon. Besançon's recent victory over Toulon was well-executed, allowing them to enjoy the game and provide playing time for their younger players. On the other hand, the northern team suffered defeat against Chambray's defense.

Now, they face each other in a match without pressure, where the sole objective is to enjoy the game. The match is expected to be open, with room for two quality attacks and a fairly similar style of play.
On both sides, the game revolves around moments of strength in one-on-one duels. With excellent individual players adept at one-on-one situations, spectators can expect battles all over the court. Mastery of distances and ball releases after these duels will be crucial, with the final result likely depending on who wins the most duels.

At home, Saint Amand is expected to receive a boost from their crowd, injecting extra intensity into their defense. This may lead to more difficulty for Besançon in cleanly transitioning the ball out of defense, potentially disrupting their play. However, Besançon's salvation may lie in their individual differences, with clear timings and uninterrupted runs against a defense lacking intent.

Saint Amand, having recently announced the recruitment of goalkeeper Ophélie Tonds for next season, should also come out on top in several duels. While timings may be harder to find and ball releases more complex due to the opponent's reverse pressure, solutions left on the wings, particularly with Mélanie Jobard, should allow them to make a difference.
A slight surprise is expected, with Saint Amand securing victory by around 33 to 30. The crowd will come out in force to support their promising team, full of ambitions for the coming years.


BREST BRETAGNE HANDBALL VS STELLA SAINT-MAUR HANDBALL 12/05/2024 - 2PM

How do you get up?
Brest has fallen short in their quest for a title once again, succumbing to Metz. Despite having the tools to succeed, they lacked control for the full 60 minutes and faltered in shooting during the second half, allowing Metz to pull away. However, despite their setbacks, there was a desire to see Jenny Karlsson on the field longer, as she won all her duels but struggled with her shots against Hatasou Sakou. But in the pursuit of a title, there's no room for sentimentality, especially in the match of the year.

Now they must regroup, hoping for a slip-up that is unlikely to come, and ultimately fall short of their title aspirations, all due to a particular goal difference disadvantage against Metz. They will undoubtedly rue their missed opportunities and eagerly await next season, under the leadership of Raphaëlle Tervel.
That said, they will finish the season on a positive note, starting with their match against Stella. As the bottom team, Stella is unlikely to pose a threat, with Brest's individual qualities far surpassing their opponents'. The Swedish center-back is expected to trouble the Plotton sisters in the 3-2 defense formation, likely emerging as the top scorer, supported by the formidable Valeria Maslova. In her role as right back, Maslova showcases her shooting prowess and long-distance power.

One pleasing aspect is the progress of substitute center Juliette Faure, who has become increasingly formidable in her duels despite still refining her shooting technique. Her mobility will pose a challenge for Stella's defense, with the experience of the Swedish player ahead of her aiding her development.
In attack, Stella will likely struggle against the formidable presence of Katharina Filter. The young German goalkeeper, having earned the starting position throughout the season, impresses with her reach and shot reading abilities. She alone should keep the opposition to fewer than 20 goals.

Despite Brest's setback, this match is expected to be one-sided. A victory for Brest, with a scoreline around 34-20, is anticipated as the players seek to showcase their individual qualities and prove they deserved better against Metz.