Andrea Parisini (Istres Provence HB)
It was a beautiful Starligue night this Friday, on behalf of the 4th day. Toulouse and Istres went for their first away win of the season. Fenix got the better of Chartres (31-33) while Istres dominated Limoges (34-37). At 8:30 p.m., Saint-Raphaël had a third success in a row in Nancy (27-32).
Three away wins in the three games this Friday night. If the success of Saint-Raphaël in Nancy (27-32) was possible, the other two results are a little more surprising. Toulouse and Istres had not yet won this season and have put an end to their small famine. The Fenix beat Chartres with difficulty in a duel between the Ilic brothers (31-33). Istres created a little surprise by winning in Limoges (34-37), taking the opportunity to overtake his opponent in the evening.
TOULOUSE IS AFRAID … BUT IS NO LONGER FANNY
The clouds are starting to dissipate in Toulouse. After obtaining their qualification for the group stage of the European League, the Toulousains obtained their first success in the Starligue by beating Chartres (31-33). The Haut-Garonnais led the whole match, can manage the best arrangements than their opponents. However, the Fenix did not manage to widen a sufficient gap to take cover. Already leading 6-1 in the 8th minute, the teammates of a very good Uros Borzas (8 goals) finally stressed the whole match because Chartres did not give up. In the wake of Vanja Ilic (8 goals), very good in the first period, then Serguey Onufriyenko (7/7) in the second half, Chartres clung to the Basques of Toulouse. The CCMHB even came back to a Fenix goal 2 minutes from time! This was not enough, and Toulouse won 31-33. A relaxation for Maxime Gilbert at the microphone of Bein Sports: “We needed points anyway!“
ISTRES WITH THE HEART IN LIMOGES AND GOALS !!
It was a particularly spectacular match which was played in Limoges this Friday evening. The face shown by Istres was really attractive. Despite the absences (Olsson, Hosni…), Guillaume Crépain’s teammates took the upper hand with fighting spirit over their hosts (34-37). Many good points are to be distributed among Provençaux and it is difficult to decide where to start. Perhaps by the pair of Parisini-Dentz pivots which was really brave. With 8 goals, the Italian finished the visitors’ top scorer and a showcase (again) of his talent. The young Edgar Dentz managed for his part perhaps one of his best evenings in the top flight (5/5). Then, we can also note the fine performance of Danish rookie Mikkelsen. With 7 goals and a few caviars, the great left-hander from Istres hit hard. Finally, and since we cannot quote everyone, we will focus on the case of Guillaume Crépain. At 35, the Iberian center-half released a model game for any young center-half. Author of 3 goals, he was above all the master of offensive play of his team which nevertheless scored 37 goals. You have to go back 16 years to see Istres score so much in the top flight …
Opposite, Limoges could not count on his goalkeepers to save the day. They were less successful than usual. Gajic’s 9 goals, which thus exceed the 1000 Starligue bar, and Lumbroso’s 6 were not enough. Limoges finally lost 34-37 and plunged in the standings (13th). What alert the Slovenian goleador on LNH TV: “They played better than us. They fought, and had come to win. We did not put the ingredients to win. It was an important game. We have to calm down and respect the organization of the game. We have to start from scratch, as if we were resuming preparation.“
SAINT-RAPHAËL CONTINUES ITS WAY
Alexandre Demaille (Saint-Raphaël Var HB)
In a match that they managed rather well, the Var chained a 3rd success and a 4th game without defeat in Nancy (27-32). As we are starting to get used to, Alexandre Demaille was excellent (15 saves at 37%), as was Raphaël Caucheteux who scored 9 goals. SRVHB left their evening opponent behind in the last 20 minutes. Nancy has therefore failed to repeat her feat achieved in Toulouse last week. Despite a good Luka Groff (8 goals), the Nancéiens missed their chance against a very experienced opponent who was able to punish their slightest mistakes. Nancy therefore remains at 2 points while Saint-Raphaël, with 7 units, is provisionally leader of Starligue tonight.
Tristan paloc