USAM Nîmes Gard loses to MHB at the gates of the Coupe de France quarter-finals

L’USAM Nîmes Gard East eliminated of the French Cup in 8th final with a score of 22 – 28 in a derby against Montpellier Handball (MHB). However, the Green Team had the match in hand before ending the match badly.

A committed start to the match on both sides

It was in a boiling Parnasse that this derby began with Nîmes engaged and an identity rediscovered throughout the first half with great aggressiveness as well as a rough and intense defense on the Montpellier attacks. The Nîmes are physically present with two counterattacks from Tobie and Gibelin who lift Parnasse as well as 4 saves from Dylan. Combined with good efficiency from Acquevillo allowing USAM to stay in contact with MHB 12 – 12 at mid- time.

More defensive Montpellier and less killers from Nîmes.

A second act which started well for David Degouy's men with a new save from Dylan Be before the turning point of this derby took place in the 47th with an exceptional save from Rémi Desbonnet on a shot from Luc Tobie. As time went on, USAM no longer managed to be effective in front of goal with technical errors and loss of balls widening the gap and a heavy defeat.

David Degouy sees this match as a “revelation”

In a post-match press conference, the Nîmes coach said he was “happy with the fight and the state of mind of his men in this derby with a lot of work in defense”.

Despite the defeat, it is above all “the rise in power since the match against Toulouse”, won 36 – 29 at Parnasse on November 30, that David Degouy wants to remember. He also highlights a “revelation” during this match against MHB, because his players performed “very high-level actions despite unmissable performances in the first half”.