It was already a match not to lose for Nantes in search of the Champions League, or even better, this season.
But they fell on Saturday night on a devilishly efficient Cesson-Rennes team and lost on the first day of Starligue 29 to 27.
HBC Nantes, third last season, are already losing ground on the super favorite, Paris Saint-Germain, six-time defending champions, who began their season by crushing Istres 34 to 25 on Friday.
The "H" gave way at the end of a long mano a mano where the gap never exceeded two goals after the first quarter of an hour.
#LiquiMolyStarligue 🏆
🔴 SENSATION tonight in Brittany: the @HBCNantes bowed to @crmhb (29-27) in the West Derby 😮😮😮 pic.twitter.com/BxlDjqCNfO
- HandNews (@HandNewsfr) September 11, 2021
The Cessonnais are revengeful
Cessonnais Robin Molinié (6 goals, including 3 penalties) and Nantes Aymeric Minne (6 goals) and Kiril Lazarov (6 goals including 5 penalties) were the best scorers of the match.
Cesson-Rennes finished in 14th place last season, saving their place in the Starligue at the last minute.
The third favorite for the podium this season, Montpellier, starts this Sunday (5 p.m.) at home against Saint-Raphaël.
He could, in case of victory, already take a little lead over HBC Nantes.
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