Montpellier (AFP)
Lost in the league, Montpellier found themselves to beat the Belarusians Meshkov Brest (30-26) at home in the Champions League on Saturday, and can still dream of second place in their group.
The MHB, already qualified for the 8th final, goes back to 3rd place, one length behind the Hungarians from Veszprem, whom they will visit for the next day.
The Hérault have already secured a place among the top four in group B, but with one more trip to the defending champion Vardar Skopje, who is struggling this season (6th in group B), they can hope for better.
Montpellier can still aspire to second place, the promise of a more lenient draw and guaranteed to play the return matches of its 8th final and of the possible home quarter.
In their favorite room of René-Bougnol, the men of Patrice Canayer redeemed their surprise defeat against Istres (28-27), Wednesday, the third row in the championship, where they fell to 4th place.
The MHB was much better in the European Cup, this is what happens "when we start to play the game of Montpellier, united in defense, to raise the balls, to play handball, and that we know very well how to do it" , explained to BeIn Sport's microphone Melvyn Richardson.
The international remained on several halftone outings, but "I did not doubt," he assured after a match with 5 goals on 7 shots.
Richardson insists on "the confidence of my teammates and the staff. But we are not going to dwell on this, the most important is to continue in Chambéry on Thursday", in Lidl Starligue.
The other strong men were Hugo Descat (9 goals on 10 shots) and the two goalkeepers, Marin Sego and his 31% save (9/20) and Kévin Bonnefoi, decisive notably on two jets at 7 meters.
The double winner of the Champions League (2003, 2018) is always at ease in his European garden.
© 2020 AFP