Handball. In a hot derby, Caen HB wins against Cherbourg

See my news
Follow Sport in Caen

Supporters of both teams had set the scene before even entering the Palais des Sports on Friday December 20, 2024. The Cherbourg residents had launched the festivities before the kop of STAPS students invaded the esplanade with smoke bombs and songs to warm up the Vikings. Once the kick-off was given, the match lived up to its promise. On the field as in the stands, the two camps responded blow for blow for a half, before the Vikings took the lead and won (32-25).

Never more than two goals apart

Caen created the first gap of the match by keeping a clean sheet on three consecutive Cherbourg attacks and by causing fouls on the other side of the field (4-2, 7′). But the visitors do the same and come back in front a few minutes later (4-5, 10′). Ten minutes later, both teams did not separate (9-9, 20′).

It is on counter flashes that Caen HB makes the difference for the first time. Rayhan Zuzo first then Louis Tournellec gives the Vikings a two-goal lead (12-10, 23′). At half-time, Caen leads, but teverything can quickly swing in one direction or the other (14-13, 30′).

An almost perfect return from the locker room

Carried by an audience which ignites from minute to minutethe Vikings step on the accelerator. Yannis Mancelle allows the Caennais to have a six-goal lead and puts Cherbourg in great difficulty (21-15, 37′). The visitors try to come back, but their momentum is broken when Francisco Pereira, formerly of Caen Handball, is victim of an involuntary head impact and collapses to the ground (39′). He eventually got up, but was very stunned and was taken back to the locker room by several of his teammates, before returning to the bench a few minutes later.

The Vikings still have a lead going into the last quarter of an hour (25-20, 46′). This is the moment that Jean-Emmanuel Kouassi chose to divert two Cherbourg attempts. Caen unfolds at the end of the match and wins in an erupting Sports Palace (32-25, 60′).

With this victory, Caen now counts five points ahead on his evening opponent and will spend the holidays in the top 5 of Proligue. The next match is scheduled for Friday February 7, 2025 with Frontignan reception.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.