Paris (AFP)

The start at the end of the suspense: Montpellier has relaunched by winning at the snatch the ex-clasico of the French Handball Championship against Chambéry (28-27), Wednesday during the third day of Starligue where the Paris SG is now the only leader.

A goal less than thirty seconds from the end of Yannis Lenne counterattack gave the victory to the Herault who then held the house to clinch a crucial victory. This success allows the reigning French champions to stay two points behind the Parisian leader in sixth place.

The MHB remained on two consecutive defeats, in the Languedoc derby in Nîmes (24-25) last Wednesday, then against the reigning European Champion, Vardar Skopje (31-33), Saturday in the Champions League.

Third in the 2018-2019 edition, Chambéry conceded a second defeat in three games. Despite a red card inflicted on the goalkeeper Yann Genty at the end of the first period and another one to Arthur Anquetil after the break, "Chambé" did not stop shoving Montpellier and even passed in front of five minutes from the end (27 -26).

But the MHB, which had to do without three major players - Jonas Truchanovicius, Benjamin Afgour and Mohamed Soussi injured - managed better the "money time" to win what represented the "clasico" before the emergence of Paris SG in 2012.

The Parisians have recorded a third win in three games by winning at Chartres (36-30) and are now alone at the top of the Championship.

Although they were all but irreproachable in defense against the champion of Proligue (second division), they demonstrated their offensive talent, like Nedim Remili, top scorer of the game with 8 achievements.

Nîmes, who had won his first two games, sank at home against Creteil (29-35) led by the tandem Sissoko-Molinié (19 goals between them). Aix kept his unbeaten record but had to settle for a draw at Ivry (23-23), who opened the clock.

Istres went on to narrowly beat Tremblay (24-23), while Toulouse dominated Dunkerque (31-28), each signing a second victory.

Thursday Nantes receives St. Raphael, who has still not scored, to close the third day.

© 2019 AFP