LFH Division 1, Women – Round 25

CHAMBRAY TOURAINE HANDBALL VS BREST BRETAGNE HANDBALL 22/05/2024 - 8PM

Trap match
Beware of a potential trap match for Brest. This weekend holds hope for them with Metz facing a tough away game in Paris with two matchdays left. Let’s remember that Brest and Metz are tied in points, but Metz has the advantage in goal difference. Therefore, any slip-up by Emmanuel Mayonnade's players could hand the title to Brest. However, Brest also needs to keep up their momentum. A challenging match lies ahead with an away game against one of the best defenses in the league. With an average of 26 goals conceded per match, Chambray is very solid defensively but lacks offensive impact. Scoring an average of 27 goals per match, they struggle to make a difference. In an attack that takes its time, they lack the drive towards the goal to really make a difference. They often play until the arm is raised laterally. This rhythm could be problematic for the Bretons. But if Brest can dominate defensively, they can exploit the open space to score easy goals.

Constance Mauny and Alicia Toublanc could have a field day and score numerous counter-attacks. This will be the key to securing victory. However, they need to successfully contain Nadia Offendal. She is likely to regularly challenge Pauletta Foppa, who always has significant difficulties using her legs to defend. She primarily uses her upper body strength to stop and neutralize opponents. Therefore, cross moves with Laura van der Heijden should be beneficial. But the player who might stand out is the soon-to-retire Manon Houette. Playing her last match at the Gymnase La Fontaine, she will be celebrated by the fans as she deserves. With an impressive career behind her, including World and European champion titles, as well as three French championship titles, she has made the most of her finishing skills. She should still take some sharp angles and play with joy in her last home game. Her teammates will want to highlight her and set her up for success, so she should receive more balls than usual on her wing.

However, this may not be enough against Brest's offensive firepower. Valeria Maslova should be comfortable shooting from distance against this packed defense. Space will be available for long-distance shooters. Alexandrina Barbosa, who is also playing her final minutes on the court, should use her explosiveness to score long-distance goals. Brest will certainly face challenges but should eventually win due to their individual talents.

They are expected to win with a score of 33-28. They will eagerly await news from Paris 92 to see if the title can swing back in their favor.


ES BESANÇON FÉMININ VS STELLA SAINT-MAUR HANDBALL 22/05/2024 - 8PM 

A beautiful goodbye
Besançon is still in the chase for Dijon’s 6th place following their narrow and hard-fought victory at Saint Amand. It took a double strict defense to turn the game around. Currently 8th with 48 points, they are just two points behind the Burgundy team. With two games remaining, they can still believe in their chances. This would grant them qualification for a European spot.
On the other hand, Stella is not yet mathematically relegated to D2. However, it would take a major upset for them to avoid it. Stella needs to beat Besançon and then win by more than 7 goals against Toulon, while also hoping Toulon doesn't win this Wednesday. You never know, that’s the beauty of sports. As they managed to pull off an upset against the Doubs team in the first leg, they can still hope.

For this to happen, they would need an outstanding performance from Mathilde Plotton. The left back and prolific scorer needs to score more than 10 goals for them to have a chance. However, Besançon often plays down to the level of their opponents due to a clear lack of cohesion, which could put them in trouble if they don't bring their A-game.
Their salvation will come from playing their last home game and thus wanting to give their fans a great final show. Clarisse Mairot should be decisive in her last home game before moving to Brest. The great duelist should exploit the opponent's lack of mobility. She will likely end up as one of the top scorers for her team, along with Sabrina Zazai. The right winger could even finish as the sixth top scorer of the championship.

They should therefore win thanks to their attack, with a score around 30 to 25. It won’t be an easy ride as they will match their opponents' rhythm, but their individual qualities will make the difference. This will add another victory to a somewhat

tumultuous season considering the individual levels of the players. They eagerly look forward to the next season. Stella should thus be officially relegated this Wednesday night and will have nothing left to hope for against Toulon.


PARIS 92 VS METZ HANDBALL - 22/05/2024 - 8:30 PM

A big step for ...
And here comes the penultimate battle for Metz in their quest for the title. And what a battle it will be! They are up against Paris 92, the third in the standings. It will be a tough and physical contest against one of the most physically imposing teams in the championship. Beware of the trap, as it could pave the way for Brest. Metz is currently first only because of their particular goal average. No slip-ups are allowed until the end of the season. However, the Messines prove with every outing that they are the best technical and tactical handball players in the championship. Their morale is boosted following their victory in the Coupe de France this Saturday against Dijon, their first title this year, which could lead to more.

To achieve this, Metz must win in Paris. To do so, they will have to use one of their best weapons: the game in motion. It's necessary to put this dense and compact defense in motion, which struggles against mobile players. The defense might reduce Sarah Bouktit's effectiveness at the pivot position inside, but it should leave room for the long-distance shooters. Emma Jacques could stand out and be one of the top scorers for her team, accompanied by Chloé Valentini, who will continue to score at least half of her goals in open spaces. The Messines' set attack might find itself somewhat challenged for once.

As usual, Kristina Jorgensen will be decisive in the critical moments of the match, making a difference when it matters most. The real difference for Metz will always be in the same sector: defense. Their mobility and teamwork will gradually nullify the opponents' efforts. We are also expecting a formidable barrier: Hatadou Sako, who is already in Olympic mode with regular matches at 50% saves. Before heading to Hungary and Gyor, she wants to secure the French championship title. She will be a key element this Wednesday with yet another great performance.
Sure, Méline Nocandy will likely recall her years with Metz and challenge Sarah Bouktit with her speed, but she might find herself somewhat isolated throughout the match.

Metz should therefore win and take a significant step towards the title with a score around 34 to 29.


OGC NICE CÔTE D’AZUR HANDBALL VS MÉRIGNAC HANDBALL 22/05/2024 - 8:30 PM

Promising youth
Mérignac could secure their place in the league as early as this Wednesday, a matchday before the end. This might happen without them needing to win. Indeed, if Stella wins or draws, they will automatically be relegated. This would be a relief for the Bordeaux team after a challenging season both sportingly and financially.

However, this season has allowed the emergence of young players with great potential. It's anticipated that in a few years, some will become key players for their team, thanks to the experience they’ve rapidly gained this season. We can mention Mélissa Chantelly. This young left back has shown a lot of potential in her duels and long-distance shots. She is sure to be a great scorer in the championship in the future, perhaps as early as next season. Under the guidance of Christophe Chagnart, these young players will continue to progress. This uncompromising coach is known and recognized for being an excellent developer of talent. Many players have broken into the French national team under his training during his time at the Gard. We can also talk about the rise of Louane Texier. This winger, a bit older than her back partner, will celebrate her 19th birthday in August. She is showing consistent improvement in her finishing with each match. She now reads the goalkeeper better to exploit her range of shots.

However, a young team also means many difficulties in managing high and low periods. When they find themselves in the latter, they currently implode. This prevents them from challenging their opponents even though they have the potential to do so. Against Nice and their experience, this is likely to happen again. However, we expect them to stay in the game throughout and lose due to youthful mistakes. Nice, with their quality of defensive teamwork, should nullify the Mérignac attack and win narrowly in the last 7 minutes.
Raissa Dapina, the right winger for OGC, will undoubtedly be the top scorer for her team. Given the defensive strategy of the opponents and the gaps on the wings, Raissa should be heavily relied upon and succeed in getting past Léna Le Borgne, the opposing goalkeeper.

With all these factors, we imagine Nice will win 28-25 against this promising team for next season, even though they are already aware that they will lose the championship's top scorer, Nele Antonissen, who will be moving to Plan de Cuques.


HANDBALL PLAN DE CUQUES VS LES NEPTUNES DE NANTES 22/05/2024 - 8:30 PM

Ending on a high note
Plan de Cuques, aiming for Europe, is currently 7th with 49 points, just 1 point behind Dijon. They face Nantes, who are fighting for third place. With their direct competitors facing Metz, they have a great opportunity to climb onto the podium. This would conclude a remarkable year before budget restrictions kick in. However, the end of the year is a bit sad following their underwhelming performance in the semi-final of the EHF European League Final Four. Finishing third was a disappointment, as they hoped for much more. So, ending on a third-place finish with this group before it disbands and spreads across Europe would still be a nice reward.

However, a tough match is ahead. Playing against the Provençales is always challenging, especially given the quality of their play, which has been proven for years. But they too are undergoing some roster changes for next season, marking a new cycle

that hasn't occurred in years. Manon Grimaud, who will be heading to Chambray, will want to end her successful years in the south with a magnificent victory. Known for her relentless commitment, she is expected to give her all and capitalize on any fast-break opportunities. They will need this pace and open play, as they will struggle against the Nantes defense. Only Romane Kromoska might excel in her unusual role as a right-handed right back. Before returning to her formative club, Brest Bretagne Handball, she will also want to thank Plan de Cuques, which gave her a lot and allowed her to perform at a high level at a young age. However, she might find herself somewhat isolated in making a difference against this highly mobile defense.

Therefore, they must defend well to obtain balls for fast breaks. But Marie-Hélène Sajka will likely have a different plan. She has the best ratio of goals per minute of playing time, often scoring 8 to 9 goals in just 20 to 25 minutes of play. Recall that she doesn't defend and is thus used solely from the bench. She is expected to lead her team to victory again.
Her brief but impactful appearances will make the difference, leaving Plan de Cuques without enough means to hope for victory and to utilize their fast-break opportunities effectively.

Nantes is expected to win with a score of 32 to 28. They will then only need to conclude this Saturday to secure a spot on the podium.


TOULON MÉTROPOLE VAR HANDBALL VS JDA BOURGOGNE DIJON HANDBALL 22/05/2024 - 8PM

A positive Wednesday for both teams?
Toulon is on the verge of securing their place in the league, thanks to their crucial and impressive victory over Plan de Cuques. The match, a high-scoring affair, ended 33-32 after a 20-20 halftime score. This victory gives Toulon a 4-point lead over Stella, making it highly unlikely for them to be relegated. For Stella to avoid relegation, they would need to win against Besançon and then defeat Toulon by more than 7 goals in their final match, a near-impossible task. Toulon can further secure their position by earning points this Wednesday. However, Dijon needs to win to maintain their spot for European competition. Toulon is expected to continue their strong offensive performance despite numerous injuries. Beatriz Sousa, who scored 9 goals in their last match, might face difficulties against Dijon’s highly mobile defense, which won't give her much space. Conversely, Lola Berrais on the left wing should find opportunities to exploit the gaps in Dijon's defense.

The difference in this match is likely to be made by Dijon’s powerful offense against Toulon’s weak defense. Claire Vautier will likely breach Toulon’s defense repeatedly. Additionally, Céline Sivertsen, the right back, will challenge Toulon with her powerful upper body and effective duels, exploiting the exterior gaps created by Ilona Di Rocco.

Dijon is expected to win with a high-scoring 36-32 result. This victory would bring Dijon closer to their European ambitions for the next season. Despite this loss, Toulon should still secure their place in the league, thanks to Stella’s likely defeat. This would be a great relief after a very challenging season.

STRASBOURG ACHENHEIM TRUCHTERSHEIM HANDBALL
VS ST AMAND HANDBALL – PORTE DU HAINAUT
22/05/2024 - 8PM

When it's not one, it's the other
Strasbourg is officially safe from relegation since last weekend, allowing them to play the remaining matches of the 2023-2024 season without pressure. They aim to reward their loyal fans with a celebratory handball event, likely in front of a full house. Their opponents, Saint Amand, despite narrowly losing to Besançon due to a strict defensive tactic, displayed an attractive style of play and are motivated to secure a win. This match will determine the 10th place in the standings.
However, Strasbourg's defensive weaknesses play into the hands of Saint Amand's offensive strengths. Saint Amand is expected to dominate through the dynamic plays of Louison Boisorieux and Clarisse Wild, who has regained form after injuries. Their explosive and speedy duels are likely to outmatch Strasbourg’s defenders, particularly Nora Fontaine and Margaux Imhof, who struggle with mobility.
Additionally, Stelvia Pascoal, showing strong performances recently, including scoring 8 goals against Besançon, will be a key player for Saint Amand.

If Saint Amand brings their A-game, they are likely to win decisively. The predicted score is around 30 to 22 in favor of Saint Amand. Both teams can then focus on improving for the next season, aiming for better and more consistent performances.