Paris (AFP)

Tasteless in the first period, the shock of the 17th day of the French Men's Championship between Nantes and Aix at the H Arena in Nantes was animated in the second act and resulted in a draw (23-23) on Sunday.

With this result of parity, the Aixois come back up to Limoges in 3rd place in the standings with 22 points, with however three games less than the Limogeauds (13 against 16) since the start of the season, disturbed by postponements due to of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nicolas Claire's teammates are now eight points behind the Parisian leader (30 points), who played two more matches than the Var.

For their part, the Nantes residents are treading water and remain four lengths from Aix, in fifth place, with 18 points and also 13 matches played.

For the return of Thierry Anti to the H Arena, on the bench of Aix after spending 10 seasons as coach of Nantes (2009-2019), the meeting first followed a false rhythm for a good half hour, with Rock Feliho's teammates at the controls (16-11, 33rd).

Nantes, however, experienced a big air gap of twenty minutes, conceding a 9-2 which allowed Aix to go ahead in scoring (20-18, 52nd).

Tied in the last minute (23-23), Nantes had the ball of victory on an interception of Olivier Nyokas, who missed his face-to-face with the goalkeeper of Aix, Anders Lynge (10 total, including three from penalties).

The PAUC is still undefeated since the end of September and its defeat on the first day of Starligue against PSG.

Since then, the Aixois have chained ten wins and two draws, but they mark time a little, because in their last three matches, they were held in check by Limoges (31-31) and Nantes.

"It is rather a good point that we take on a direct competitor. There are still imperfections to correct. Coming to take a point in Nantes is good," commented left-back Aix Karl Konan, at the microphone of beIN Sports after the meeting.

© 2021 AFP