Handball: Frontignan was so close to bringing down Sélestat a second time…

Lucas Pelegrin et les siens ont fait trembler les Alsaciens. MIDI LIBRE – Jérôme Belluire

Le FTHB s'est incliné 26-25 en Alsace, ce samedi 3 février.

For coach Asier Antonio, this match at Sélestat, a clear candidate for promotion, was an opportunity to gauge the team's abilities to invite itself, for the second consecutive season, among the big contenders for the playoffs.

The conclusions are pretty good. And totally linked, moreover, to the frustration which must have floated in the Frontignan locker room after the meeting. Because the FTHB, despite the defeat, almost spoiled the resumption of the championship for Alsatian supporters. Caught by the throat at the entrance, Ayhan Alexandre and his team played their part, carried in particular by an authoritarian Kévin Mesnard in his goals, to take the lead at the break (11-13).

In this ultra-defensive match (Séléstat is the team which conceded the fewest goals), the Frontignanais kept the gap until ten minutes from the end. Moment chosen by the talented Pimenta (who will join Asier Antonio in Chambéry next season) to change the situation with assists and offensive exploits.

But even at minus 3, the FTHB did not give up and finally offered themselves the last possession of the match, to try to equalize. It didn’pass (26-25), but the scenario proves the value of the Muscatiers and legitimizes their hopes for this season.