On February 10, Mélanie Halter’s career took a turn accelerated. Metz Handball announces the serious injury of its goalkeeper Hatadou Sako, 48 hours from a Champions League match that the Dragonnes must absolutely win. To complete the match sheet, the club turns to the goalkeeper of its training center. “At the time, I’m disappointed for Hatadou then I tell myself that I have to be ready, go in and bring something”, said Melanie Halter.
The 19-year-old Alsatian had already made a few quick appearances last season, but nothing to compare with being thrown into the deep end, against Odense. “In the first training session, I was very stressed, I was doing n’imp ‘, passes in the socks. It almost scared me. In the end, that first game was great.” Especially when she repelled the 7-meter throw from Loïs Abbingh, 2019 World Champion with the Netherlands.
Intractable at 7 meters
The 7 meters, his trademark. “A face to face. She and I. Whoever catches the best wins. It’s a game and I love it” she says as she describes herself as shy. And arguably one of the main reasons why his presence within the team lasts. His success rate in this exercise is 40% in the league (10/25) and 75 in the Champions League (3/4).
Metz Handball sought to recruit a goalkeeper, “but either we ran into financial problems or level problems. The proposed players were not sufficiently better than Melanie to waste time” explains Manu Mayonnade, the trainer.
Roles are defined. Ivana Kapitanovic is number 1, Melanie Halter number 2.”We are not asking him to save the Metz Handball structureadds Manu Mayonnade. On the 7-meter jet, everyone thinks it’s an easier exercise for the shooter. If she makes the save, she throws us back. The pressure is less than that of Ivana who can tell herself that she puts the structure in danger if she passes through.“But to win a 24th national title, Metz will need two goalkeepers in the game.
Brest – Metz Handball, first leg of the Women’s League final will be live on France Bleu Lorraine, this Thursday, May 26, from 7 p.m.