LFH Division 1, Women – Round 26
METZ HANDBALL VS HANDBALL PLAN DE CUQUES
25/05/2024 - 8PM
To title
Metz could become the French champions for the 26th time in their history. After completely dominating the third- place team in the standings, they secured a resounding 40-25 victory. Throughout the year, they have expertly managed their emotions regardless of the match context, preparing them for any scenario. This second title of the year would reward a successful season, boasting the best defense and the best offense in the league. Three players are among the top five scorers. Despite expectations of a potentially tougher year, Emmanuel Mayonnade and his assistant Ekaterina Andryushina have done an exceptional job leading the team to this point. They could become French champions this Saturday at 9:20 PM, a week before competing in the Champions League Final Four, where they hope to win the title for the first time in their history. However, they must first defeat Plan de Cuques, a team that recently surprised everyone with an impressive performance against Nantes, winning 33-26. They played a dynamic and forward-oriented game. Facing Metz will be a different challenge, though, as the final hurdle is never easy. Metz boasts the best defense in the league with only 566 goals conceded, averaging 22.6 goals per game, thanks to the outstanding performances of their goalkeeping duo. Hatadou Sako continues to excel, and Camille Depuiset is also impressive, with a remarkable save percentage, making 10 saves in just one half on Wednesday. Offensively, they have scored 901 goals, averaging 36 goals per game, led by the league's best player, Danish playmaker Kristina Jorgensen, who will soon join Europe’s most decorated club, Gyor.
This results in an average goal differential of 14 per game, highlighting their dominance. Their only setback was a one-goal loss to Brest in the first leg, missing a penalty at the buzzer. This upcoming match is expected to follow a similar pattern: some tension and pressure until halftime, followed by their modern, fast-paced game likely leading to a win around 37-27. With a magnificent second title after winning the French Cup, they will turn their focus to the greatest challenge in their careers, the Champions League. No French women's club has yet lifted this trophy. Could this be their year? We certainly hope so.
Good luck to them.
BREST BRETAGNE HANDBALL VS ES BESANÇON FÉMININ 25/05/2024 - 8PM
Great frustration
Brest could cap off a remarkable year by finishing second in the standings, tied in points with first-place Metz. They would then also have just one loss, against the future champions, losing out only on goal difference. However, runners-up are rarely remembered, and the frustration of ending an exceptional season without a title is palpable.
A new cycle will begin next season with a revamped squad and a change of coach. Raphaëlle Tervel, former assistant at Gyor, will take the helm. But before that, they face one last opponent: Besançon. The ever-loyal crowd at Brest Arena expects a spectacular performance for this final match, which might also be Cléopâtre Darleux's last in Brest's colors. Darleux, who has been instrumental in Brest's successes with stellar performances, will move on to new challenges, though her next destination is currently unknown.
This match promises to be a grand farewell for her, especially after being sidelined for a year and a half due to a concussion. She might exceed 10 goals in her final game, leading Brest to victory and delighting the crowd. Besançon, always unpredictable, could pose some challenges. Clarisse Mairot, for example, will be eager to prove her worth in front of her future fans and employers, likely pushing herself in every duel to make a difference.
For Brest, this match also marks the end for ten players, signaling a clear new beginning. Valeria Maslova, the talented right back, will head to Ferencváros in Budapest. She is expected to be her team's top scorer once again, given the power of her shots. Another notable departure is Alexandrina Barbosa, who will retire after this match. Having played across Europe and contributed significantly to every team she joined, she has nearly won it all and deserves a grand exit.
For all these reasons, Brest is expected to win comfortably, though they may face some challenges in the first half. The match could end with a score of 35-27, leaving them with a strong sense of frustration. They will likely keep an eye on Metz's match with little hope, given the circumstances.
LES NEPTUNES DE NANTES VS CHAMBRAY TOURAINE HANDBALL
Crossroads
Nantes surprisingly faltered against Plan de Cuques, losing by a significant margin of 33-26. This defeat kept them off the podium and diminished their chances of maintaining their position. They are likely to finish with the "chocolate medal," a disappointing outcome given their higher expectations. Nonetheless, they have secured European qualification. However, with a budget restriction for next year, Nantes will also enter a new cycle. With nine departures, half of the squad will be revamped for the upcoming season. The women's handball scene is indeed quite dynamic, with many changes from season to season.
This Saturday's match will be an opportunity for the club to bid farewell to many key players. The fans are expected to show up in large numbers to support the team against Chambray. Chambray, too, will see key players leave next year, including Manon Houette, who is retiring, and pivotal figures like goalkeeper Agathe Quiniou and playmaker Nadia Offendal. Their team will also have a different look next season.
The match will be particularly significant for the goalkeeper, who will soon be joining Nantes, facing some of her future teammates as she prepares to start physical training with them in a few weeks. Conversely, left winger Dyeneba Sylla will move to Chambray. With so many mixed emotions, it is hard to predict the level of commitment in the game.
However, the home team is expected to have the advantage in front of their crowd. Nantes, driven by a dynamic offense, should secure a victory with a score around 34-27. Despite Chambray's defeat, they are likely to finish fifth and return to European competition. Let's hope they experience fewer injuries next season.
JDA BOURGOGNE DIJON HANDBALL VS STRASBOURG ACHENHEIM TRUCHTERSHEIM HANDBALL 25/05/2024 - 8PM
Too lonely ...
Dijon has impressed everyone at the end of this year, stringing together five consecutive victories. They could even surpass Chambray on goal difference to secure a well-deserved fifth place given their strong second half of the season. Their playstyle is polished and modern, focusing on duels before reading the game and maintaining continuity.
They face Strasbourg, who celebrated their survival in the league and delighted their fans with a 27-25 victory over Saint Amand, thanks in large part to their excellent goalkeeper, Léa Fargues. She has been outstanding all year, regularly thwarting long-range shooters with her keen reading and anticipation of opponents' shots. Rarely caught off guard, she is expected to make some impressive saves against Dijon as well. However, with threats coming from all over the field, she is likely to tire as the match progresses, opening the door for a Dijon victory. For Dijon, securing their European place is at stake, so their commitment to winning this final match of the season will be strong.
On the Strasbourg side, defensive efforts may be less intense, and physical aggression might be reduced, with their minds already on the next season and avoiding injuries in this last game. As a result, we can expect an offensive match with defenses not overly eager to hurt their opponents.
Dijon is expected to win by a substantial margin of 38-28, despite a commendable performance from Léa Fargues. With no announced departures, Dijon has high ambitions for the next season. They will be fully focused on achieving their current objective.
MÉRIGNAC HANDBALL VS PARIS 92
25/05/2024 - 8PM
The podium for a major group
Despite a challenging season marked by numerous injuries, Paris 92 is poised to finish on the podium. To secure this position, they must avoid any slip-ups in their final match against Mérignac. Given the cohesion they've demonstrated since the beginning of the season, the Parisian team is unlikely to ease off before the final buzzer. The players hold their coach in high regard and will be determined to finish strong for him. Although they fell short against Metz on Wednesday, they have a chance for a small redemption against the league's youngest team, which has achieved its goal of staying up. The players have gained valuable experience under the guidance of Christophe Chagnard throughout the year.
Mérignac will be celebrating their top scorer, Nele Antonissen, who, despite moving to Plan de Cuques next season, has significantly contributed to the team during her time in Gironde. She will continue to fight hard, but both she and her team are likely to struggle against the physicality of Paris 92. Only Mélissa Chantelly, with her long-range shooting, might stand out, but overall, Mérignac is expected to face significant challenges against the formidable Parisian defense.
Paris 92, on the other hand, will capitalize on their rapid play, driven by the speed of Meline Nocandy and Coura Kanoute. These two players bring incredible pace, likely to overpower Mérignac's less explosive and less committed defense. Alice Mazens, in her final game for Paris before heading to Denmark, is expected to lead her team and score over six goals.
This effort will help Paris 92 secure a podium finish, rewarding a deserving team. The match is predicted to end with a victory for Paris 92, around 38-24.
ST AMAND HANDBALL – PORTE DU HAINAUT VS OGC NICE CÔTE D’AZUR HANDBALL 25/05/2024 - 8PM
Through
Saint Amand has shown two different faces throughout the season, and this was especially evident against Strasbourg, where they stumbled in the first half but then rallied to fall just two goals short. Now, they face a rather consistent team in Nice, which has won most of its matches against lower-ranked teams while struggling against stronger opponents.
To predict Saint Amand's performance, one must consider their mindset. Given that this is their last home game, they are expected to switch on and play their best. They have high ambitions for next season, and it is crucial to end this one on a positive note in front of their supporters. Their roster will see few changes, with the notable exception of their goalkeeping duo. Mélanie Halter will return to Metz to pair with Camille Depuiset, while Ophélie Tobds from Toulon will join Saint Amand.
Their offensive play, characterized by duels and through shots, should be the key to their success. In the final matches of the season, defenses tend to be less aggressive, allowing Saint Amand to penetrate Nice's goalkeeper, Marija Golic, more easily. Nice, assured of finishing 9th, might already be thinking about end-of-season celebrations.
This lack of engagement from Nice is expected to result in a high-scoring game with little defensive effort. Saint Amand's players will thrive in these conditions. Additionally, Mélanie Halter is anticipated to put in a stellar performance with over 10 saves, guided by her coach and former goalkeeper Julien Salmon. He must be proud that his protégé is returning to the top French club.
The match is likely to conclude with a 36-30 victory for the northern team, showcasing the beauty of handball and attracting more partners for the women's game next season.
STELLA SAINT-MAUR HANDBALL VS TOULON MÉTROPOLE VAR HANDBALL 25/05/2024 - 8PM
A beautiful ending
La Stella has regained its attacking vigor since mid-season. Unfortunately for them, it was not enough. They are relegated to the women's D2 for the 2024-2025 season. However, they are determined to finish the season well in front of their fans. Mathilde Plotton, the team's top scorer who will be heading to Dijon, should once again lead her team. With the pressure off, her teammates should also relax and pose more of a threat than usual. Facing a Toulon defense still plagued by doubts and in an end-of-season match that is always more open than others, the attack should exceed 33 goals, one of the first times this season. Elise Delorme on her wing should have fun as well.
In terms of defense, Jacqueline Oliveira should make the difference. This Brazilian goalkeeper is ageless. At 44 years old, she will finally celebrate her last match before retiring. Explosive at close range and skilled at reading the game, she should nullify
the Toulon attack. Despite their movement game, Toulon should struggle to score. But now that they are sure of staying up after a tough season, the end will be a mental relief. Everyone will be able to rest before properly preparing for next season, even though it is already looking like a difficult year with a light recruitment for the Butagaz Energy League level.
In any case, there will be a big celebration at this historic handball club. We hope they will bounce back immediately. The final score for this season should be around 34 to 32.