Handball/Proligue Playoffs: Frontignan, beaten on home ground, does not make the task easy

Ayhan Alexandre et les siens ont signé une première mi-temps parfaite, mais ont peu à peu lâché. MIDI LIBRE – Jérôme Belluire

The FTHB will have to make up for a two-goal deficit, this Friday, May 24 in Pontault-Combault, for the return match (31-33).

Driven by an overheated room, the Frontignanais got off to a good start, aggressive and determined (3-1). Pontault came back to 3-3 but the locals kept the advantage: 8-6 after a penalty from Camara.

Surging

It was then that a wave would submerge the Parisian suburbs. Ferrari exploded when Mesnard made two saves, followed by two goals from Tesio and Isnard. And the decibels rose even higher with Mesnard stopping a penalty before signing an extraordinary save. In full euphoria, Asier Antonio's men stood out with an interception and two consecutive goals from Minne (13-7).

In his goals, Mesnard did not lose authority. But opposite, Cantegrel followed the example and put a stop to local desires. The score was 17-14 at the break.

Power outages

Pontault-Combault, slowly but surely, began its ascent. And the slight power outage in the ranks of the FTHB was followed by a complete one, plunging the room into darkness for several minutes. A forced break in the 34th minute (18-16) of which the visitors were the first beneficiaries.

Because if Frontignan still resisted the recovery, carried in particular by two high-class saves from Mesnard and a goal from Minne (20-18), the "momentum"  had changed sides. Cantegrel would little by little enter into the minds of muscatiers, and certainly also into the nightmarish nights of the local supporters… The goalkeeper made multiple saves, Bouity gave his team the advantage for the first time in the match (21-22) and, apart from a reaction at 23-22, the FTHB could no longer resist.

Hope remains

For the second time in the game, Pontault took the advantage (22-23), with a goal from Barradas de Lima. And he wasn’t going to let go. Cantegrel literally disgusted all of Ferrari, while Luciani hit the nail on the head in attack (27-31). Camara reduced the gap at the end (31-33) and it is therefore with two goals behind that the FTHB will travel to Pontault-Combault this Friday for the return match. The Final Four has distanced itself a bit, but it's still within reach.

The technical sheet

► Frontignan THB……………….31
► Pontault-Combault…………33

Henri-Ferrari Room.
Half-time: 17-14.
Referees: MM. Picard and Vauchez.
Spectators: 800.

Frontignan : Mesnard (9 saves on 36 shots including 1/3 pen), Diot (1 save on 7 shots). Camara (7 goals on 9 shots including 4/4 pen), Isnard (2/5), Leon (5/5), Laurens (2/4), Tesio (5/5), Abodogo (1/1), Minne (5/8), Alexandre (4/5).
Two minutes at: Laurens (6th), Leon (9th, 37th), Pelegrin (22nd).

Pontault-Combault: Cantegrel (10 saves on 28 shots), Gustave (0 saves on 10 shots), Horvat (0 saves on 3 shots). Zammit (5/5 including 3/3 pen), Barradas de Lima (6/9), Pasquet (2/3), Barthélemy (2/2), Bouity (4/6), Moran (2/5), Vucko (3/4), Toupance (3/5), Luciani (6/6).
Two minutes at: Vucko (10th), Pasquet (35th).
Red card: Vucko (43rd).