Led overall throughout the match, USAM managed to snatch the last second draw in Switzerland against Schaffhausen with a score of 25-25. A precious point in the race for qualification in the round of 16 even if this evening Nîmes is doing well and losing its first place in favor of Sporting.
No time to return to Nîmes for the Green team who three days after having miraculously obtained a draw in Créteil (36-36), by scoring three goals at the last minute, finds himself in Switzerland as the leader of this group D for the 4th day of the EHF European League. Faced with Schaffhausen, last and still without a victory in this competition, USAM quickly understands that the Helvetians have not given up and intend to redo the icing this evening.
The start of the match is complicated and the locals, superior, logically take the lead (5-2, 9th). In spurts, the French manage to put their opponent in difficulty. Nîmes comes back to height by inflicting a 3-0 to the Swiss (6-6, 13th). But this regain of form is short-lived. Schaffhausen is transcended and starts afresh. The Usamists cash a 4-0 forcing Franck Maurice to take a time out. His men are not won, remaining three goals behind but dominated without succeeding in permanently reversing the trend.
In double numerical inferiority, Desbonnet made a crucial stop to prevent the Swiss club from taking off. Despite the opposing domination, the Usamistes managed to return to the locker room with only a gap of two goals (15-13). Like a few weeks ago against Chambéry, the speeches at the break were effective. The Gardois return to the field with a completely different face. Jakobsen scored twice and followed suit for his teammates. The green tide scores five goals without conceding a single one in the first six minutes (15-18, 36th).
A penalty from Guigou at the last second
The Helvetian time-out stops this bleeding. Nîmes does not manage to take advantage of this good start and hold, Schaffhausen takes the opportunity to equalize (19-19, 41st). As money time approaches, the game is messy on both sides. We feel the two teams more tense. Unsuccessful on the penalty spot, Sanad twice consecutively missed his chance in this exercise while Nîmes could take the advantage. For nearly four minutes, the score remains at 21-21. The suspense is intact ten minutes from the end.
In these last minutes, no more team scores. So the slightest opportunity is decisive. Sanad completely misses out, again, at seven meters. On the Swiss side, Schelker does not tremble in front of Paul. Jakobsen keeps his people in the game. The Norwegian pivot was formidable this evening by undermining the Swiss defense and scoring the trifle of eight goals. Twenty seconds from the end, the Swiss believe they have their victory but they scuttled in stride.
After the last time out in Nîmes, there are only four seconds left to play. The defense is rough and Markovic commits a gross foul on Nyateu. Red card which leads, as the rule provides, a penalty. As against Créteil, Nîmes equalizes on the gong. This time the savior is called Guigou. The veteran triple gold medalist at the Olympics does not tremble and USAM leaves with a point even if suddenly it is Sporting which takes first place in this group D. Now place for the derby on Saturday in Montpellier!
Corentin Corger
4th day of the EHF European League. BBC Arena. Referees: Mr Madsen and Mortensen (Denmark). Kadetten Schaffhausen – USAM Nîmes Gard 25-25. Half-time: 15-13. Two minutes in Schaffhausen: Küttel (18th, 30th), Schmidt (49th), Markovic (60th). Two minutes in Nîmes: Tobie (9th, 22nd), Poyet (22nd), Gallego (48th). Disqualification at Schaffhausen: Markovic (60th).
Schaffhausen: Biosca Garcia (5 saves on 23 shots), Pilipovic (4 saves on 11 shots); Zehnder (5/8 including 4/6 on pen), Matzken (4/5), Küttel (4/8), Canellas Reixach (0/2), Schmidt, Schopper (4/5), Jerry, Lier (0 / 1), Gerbl (1/1), Markovic, Maros (1/3), Schelker (5/6 including 2/2 on the pen), Tominec (0/1), Herburger (1/1). Coach: Max Böni.
USAM: Desbonnet (4 saves on 17 shots), Paul (7 saves on 19 shots); Poyet, Derisbourg, Gallego, Rebichon (1/2), Nyateu (0/1), Jakobsen (8/10), Dupuy (1/2), Vincent, Gibernon (1/1), Guigou (3/3 including 1 / 1 on pen), M.Salou (4/6), Tobie (1/2), Acquevillo (4/7), Sanad (2/6 including 1/3 on pen). Coach: Franck Maurice.
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