Wassim Hellal and Lucien Auffret, all in control | Photo credit: Dijon Metropole Handball
Dijon brilliantly won the shock of this 19th day of Proligue against Tremblay (35-24). With this success, the Burgundians are now the sole leaders of the 2nd division. They are closely pursued by their opponents (2 points) and a pack of 3: the regulars Pontault-Combault (3rd) and Saran (5th), and the explosive promoted Frontignan (4th).
We were perhaps expecting a more balanced match for this clash of the Proligue. Eventually, Dijon devoured his evening opponent Tremblay (35-24). Wassim Hellal was once again very good with 12 stops at 38%. Auffret et Enjoy were prolific offensively, to sanction the many losses of Ile-de-France balls. In short, the traditional Dijon ingredients were there. Opposite, Tremblay missed the mark, paying dearly for his failed start to the match (8-2, 11e). While their last two duels had given birth to a draw, it is this time on a river score that separate Djionnais et Tremblaisians. With a rematch by the end of the season? To have.
THE BIG 8 FOR FRONTIGNAN
In the duel of the promoted, Frontignan prevailed against Bordeaux (33-28), thus earning an 8th victory in a row. The 14 stops of Kevin Mesnard helped the Héraultais build a success that was finally decided in the last quarter of an hour, when the Noir et Or inflicted a 5-0 on their visitors (26-22). With this success, Frontignan now has a 9-point lead over Nancy, 7th in the standings. What to dream more and more seriously in the play-offs? There are 11 games left.
In the leading pack, Pontault Combault et Saran also won. The operation was not easy for the Saranais who have suffered from Villeurbanne (32-30). Pour Pontaultit was also necessary to whip against Valence (30-28), but the 6 goals of Dupoux et 11 stops of Cantegrel ended up paying.
Bastien Khermouche (Dijon) against Hugo Kriszt (Sarrebourg). Photo credit: Martin Remigy
CAEN PICKS, STRASBOURG GOES DOWN
THE Vikings de Caen, are currently on the last jump seat towards the play-offs. But to Sarrebourg, they suffered a second loss in a row (32-24). Too many bullet losses and too many wall shot failures Kriszt Hugo (40 %) reduced Norman ambitions to nothing. Their evening hosts now have them in their sights, just 3 points away.
Pour Strasbourg, to the extra-sporting setbacks are added the sporting defeats. Yet off to a good start, Alsatians broke down a little before half-time against Nancy and have never been able to catch up Lorraine. With this success, Yann Ducreux (11 goals) and his friends are in the wheels for the play-offs, very close to Caen (1 point behind).
Finally, Billere corrected Massy home (35-26) with in particular 9 goals of Tournellec. Cherbourg, on his side, went to dominate Besancon in the Doubs (26-33). Young people Musy (6 goals) and Ivan (13 saves) were able to lead theirs to a deserved success.
Tristan Paloc
