The first day of the final stages of LBE started well. In the play-off, Besançon began his adventure perfectly by beating Brest (25-24). In the play-down, Plan de Cuques recalled that nothing is done to maintain it after its success in Dijon (25-30).
Nothing is played until the end. For the first day of the play-offs and play-downs, the message has been received by all the teams in the championship. After the interlude of the Coupe de France, the clubs of the Butagaz Energie League have started again what could be compared to a new competition. And everyone wanted to show their fangs.
Starting with Besançon which received the Breton leader. Having ended the first leg with a defeat against Chambray, Raphaëlle Tervel’s players wanted to start this recovery well. However, it was Brest who started the game better. But without panicking, the Bisontines relied on their solid defense to collect balls and catch up (13-13, MT). The plan put in place by the ESBF coach was in motion. If Brest took the lead thanks to the big performance of Darleux (14-17, 37 ′), the locals had the response, in particular through an omnipresent Lara Gonzalez. The Spanish international set the pace both offensively and defensively against Ana Gros. In the lead for the money-time, Besançon maintained its advantage to bring down the BBH (25-24, SF). A second setback from Brest which could revive the race for 2nd place and therefore for the title.
Paris, a successful first
The defeat in the Coupe de France was heavy. The Parisiennes wanted to start again for the first day of the play-offs and it’s done. No doubt a little cautious at the start of the match, Paris 92 and Bourg-de-Péage offered a very defensive start. But superior in all areas, Nadia Offendal’s teammates gradually took the lead in the game to take the lead at the break (14-10, MT). The second act proved the defensive strength of the locals. The Péageoises struggled to try to pick up the score. But failing to catch up with the gap, they maintained the difference. Complete, the daughters of Yacine Messaoudi have made up for the start of their play-offs (25-20, SF).
Play-down
In the other championship, the slightest point may also count. Red lantern at the start of these play-downs, Plan de Cuques went to Dijon for the first day. With the desire to make this last place unenviable, the players of Bouches-du-Rhône directly imposed their game. Despite their four goals in advance, they saw their opponents react. Relying on its defense, the JDA glued to the scoreboard at the best time, just before the break (12-13, MT). But this burst was extinguished when the game resumed. If Christine Elm (12 stops) delayed the deadline, the Plan de Cuquoises dominated the rest of the meeting. Logically, they made a decisive difference and won 25-30, leaving 14th place free.
Toulon, Fleury with a better start
And this last place, it is Mérignac who recovered it. It was almost all over in the first half against Fleury. Thanks to their goalkeeper, Gabriella Moreschi, the Fleuryssoises took the advantage in the first 30 minutes. (8-11, MT). Offensively, Ondono achieved the recoveries of balls. His team took up to 7 goals (12-19, 38 ′). Opposite, the Girondines tried to return to the score. But closer to 2 goals, it was too late when for the last 5 minutes, Fleury presented with +5 to the score. In the end, Fleury will have made the difference in the first act to put an end to 9 consecutive defeats. (23-26, SF).
Like Fleury, Toulon made the difference in the first half of the match against St-Amand. For his first match officially as a coach, Stéphane Plantin saw his players well placed defensively to build a good gap from the break (14-9, MT). A significant gap, since despite the revolt of the Northerners, the Toulonnaises have not cracked. If the Amandinoises won the second period, the TSC relied on the difference made in the first to win (28-24, SF).
After this 1st day, everything is relaunched in the Butagaz Energie League. Nice-Metz and Nantes-Chambray remain to be played to complete the results. For the other teams, no time to procrastinate with the second day which will be played this Wednesday.
Nolann Rock
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