Paris (AFP)
The Brest leader fell 25-24 in Besançon on Saturday at the opening of the play-offs of the Women's Handball League.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Women's League has chosen to change its formula: at the end of the first 13 days of the first leg, the first eight teams play in the play-offs.
This first day began with a sensation with the backhand of the Brestoises, battered by the Bisontines throughout a bitter and high level meeting.
Defeated at the break (13-13), Brest managed to take three steps ahead at the start of the second period (17-14), but the teammates of Cléopâtre Darleux, who made 16 saves, saw their opponents pick up the score (18-18).
Thanks in particular to the 5 goals of Aissatou Kouyaté, Chloé Bouquet and Clarisse Mairot, Besançon snatched the victory on the wire (25-24) and climbed to third place in the standings.
Sunday, Paris 92 faces Bourg-de-Péage while the meeting between Nice and Metz, quadruple reigning French champion, scheduled for the same day was postponed due to two confirmed cases of Covid-19 within the workforce messin.
Result and program of the 1st day of the play-offs
Saturday
Besancon - Brest 25-24
Sunday
Paris 92 - Bourg-de-Péage
Wednesday March 10
Nantes - Chambray
Match postponed
Nice - Metz (case of Covid-19 in Metz)
© 2021 AFP