Already back in his Besançon Sports Palace, and another victory for ESBF in the middle of a new three-game week! Four days after the clear success (+11) at home against Atlético Guardés in the third round of the European League, and four days before the return match in Spain (this Sunday, November 21, 7 p.m. live on France Blue Besançon), the Bisontine handball players received Toulon this Wednesday evening during the 9th day of D1 / Ligue Butagaz Energie.
And with seriousness and involvement in defense in particular (15-8, 25 ‘/ 16-11, half time / 31-20, 51 ‘), they did not give a gift to the Varoises, penultimate in the standings. Final score, 33-24, for the Franc-Comtoises who thus end the year 2021 in the league on a positive record (5 wins – 4 losses) by returning in contact with the Top 5 qualifier for Europe at the end of the season.
All the Top 8 teams already faced, except Dijon, the next opponent in early January
ESBF is 6th in the standings: just a small point behind 5th, Dijon… where the first regional derby of this 2021-2022 fiscal year – on January 5 (10th day) for the resumption of competition after the break of the 2021 World Cup in Spain and then the small Christmas break – will therefore also take on a stronger sporting issue that in recent years …
The classification of the D1 / LBE after the 9th day
Next, until the 13th and last day of the First leg of the French championship (January 26), the Bisontines will have finished with the top opponents ! That is to say all the teams of the Current top 8, which thus enhances their record – which some might believe to be “narrow” – of 5 wins and 4 defeats for the moment.
The reshaped workforce of ESBF, now coached since this summer also by Sebastien Mizoule, has certainly lost in Nice (the penultimate, at the time) but just after … her huge performance to win in Brest, among the reigning French champions and finalists of the 2021 Champions League! As for his three other defeats, not really anything to be ashamed of : it was in … Metz (again intractable this season with a clear round during the first nine days of the championship), against the very ambitious Paris 92, currently 3rd in the standings (who came to win on the wire, 26-25 , in Besançon) and then among the astonishing Drômoises of Bourg-de-Péage (frustrating setback of a goal gap only), still runners-up to the leader in Metz …
Imminent return of injuries to two executive players
In addition to its magnificent success with the Brest ogre, the troop of the new captain Pauline Robert its also imposed against two other European qualifiers this season, like her: in Chambray-Touraine and against Nantes (winner of the European League 2021!) 7th and 8th respectively, today, also tied on points with … ESBF, largely victorious over the Provençales de Plan-de-Cuques (second consecutive season in the French elite and 11th place for the moment) elsewhere.
And the timing of the recovery, at the start of 2022, will offer to the Bisontines three other opponents from the second half of the table in a row, including the first two at home: Fleury-Loiret, the red lantern who has lost all his matches so far (January 12, 11th day) then promoted him Celles-sur-Belle, classified 12th / 14th (January 19th / 12th day) before moving in Mérignac, the 9th of the classification (January 26, 13th day).
Without counting the returns of more or less long injuries –Announced for early January– of the two senior players, Line Uno and Clarisse Mairot ! Precious fresh blood therefore, especially if, this Sunday in Spain, the ESBF officially validates its qualification for the Group Stage (Top 16) of the European League which will be played during the six weekends scheduled from January 8 to February 20. 2022 …