We will not go so far as to say that it is anecdotal. Losing by conceding more than 30 goals at home, regardless of the opponent, always stings the egos… But let’s say that losing against Metz, this season in the French league, is the logic, the norm for all teams – without exception – opposed to the intractable leader of the D1/League Butagaz Energie. The ESBF has therefore, again, left since this Wednesday evening at the end of the first day of the return phase of the championship: defeat (28-34) Besançon handball players, who had already lost in the first leg of the season with the Messines… whom they have not managed to beat since March… 2006 (current series of 37 defeats for a draw ).
Bisontines literally outclassed in the first period
Only 9 small goals scored, and already 22 (!) conceded after the first thirty minutes of play (9-22, half time)… Pauline Robert and her girlfriends missed almost everything during this very painful first period, when the Lorraines – ruthless and overpowering – succeeded almost everything on their side.
The pride reaction – expected and hoped for – fortunately came back from the locker room (21-28, 48′). For mitigate that authentic spanking who was looming for the ESBF, despite everything still stuck in the Top 5 of the ranking synonymous with European qualification at the end of the season…
New decisive match against Zagreb this Saturday, in Croatia this time
In the wake of this “two-faced” defeat against Metz, the ESBF will resume its January rhythm with two matches per week (Wednesdays in the league, weekends in the European Cup). Sébastien Mizoule and his players will even chain two trips, without going through the Besançon box.
Leaving this Friday for the Croatia, where the Bisontines will face Lokomotiva Zagreb the next day (Saturday February 5, 6 p.m., live on France Bleu Besancon) in the Group Stage of the European League…, on the occasion of the first of the three return days of the competition: a new decisive duel against the leader of the Croatian championship (victory of the ESBF in the first leg) to continue to stay in the race for the 1/4 finals reserved for the first two of each group!
Then, this Sunday, the Franche-Comté delegation will fly from Zagreb to join directly Nantes (via Paris), in order to better prepare for the shock match of contenders for Europe during the 15th day of the French championship (Wednesday February 9).