The first half could have predicted a straightforward match for Messines, but that would not have reflected the combativeness that drives the Romanian club. And after the Romanians regained the psychological ascendancy, the two teams engaged in a high-tension armed combat. Finally, thanks to a layered defense proposed at the end of the match, and the last saves of Cléopatre Darleux, the Messines succeeded in their bet and left victorious over CSM Bucuresti (31-32).
The Messines are traveling today to Romania, to the famous club CSM Bucuresti, where a few French women have already worn the colors. Currently fourth in Group A, with one defeat to their credit, the two clubs will not give up to win this match before the international break. And Laura’s old club Flippes has the weapons to achieve this, in particular thanks to summer recruitment, with the arrival of Ingér SmitsEmma FriisDjurdjina Jaukovicand the famous Brazilian goalkeeper Gabriela Goncalves Dias Moreschi.
Metz efficiency, without doubt, at 83%
On the Metz side, Emmanuel Mayonnade decides to trust Chloe ValentiniTyra AxnerLena GrandveauSarah BouktitLaura FlippesLucie Granary and Cleopatra Darleux to start the meeting. It is also she who makes the first save on Monika’s attempted shot Kobylinskaand who offers us a first precise recovery on his right winger. Moving, Axner et Grandveau launch themselves perfectly towards the goal to put their team in the best possible condition (0-3, 3′). The former coach of the Neptunes de Nantes, Helle Thomsenwas forced to call time out a minute later while her team still couldn’t score (0-4, 4′). The timeout fulfills its objective and the Romanians gradually regain their efficiency, just like of who makes his first save after nine minutes of play (5-8, 9′). Two duos stand out in the attacks on either side, Grandveau / Axner for Messines with seven goals between them, and for CSM, Elizabeth Homoergy et Kobylinska who scored eight goals. Finally, the attacks go well and it is in defense that the ranks must close (10-12, 17′). The Messines are working on it and the two new parades of Darleuxincluding a magnificent one from six meters, allow them to create a new break (10-16, 20′). After this 4-0 suffered in five minutes, Thomsen reminds its players again by insisting (in part) on the defensive withdrawal. But the Messines are very diligent, and adapt their offensives perfectly, this time releasing a decisive pass on Bouktit, little used until now. The first numerical inferiority for the Messines, with the release of Djazz Chambertinallows the Romanians to limit the damage (13-17, 24′). But once complete, the solutions return easily, notably thanks to the arm freed fromAxner which continues its festival (7/8). Mayonnade does not need to change his major seven who finds himself with his eyes closed against a stunned defense (15-19, 28′). He decides to take his time out fifteen seconds from the end to give his instructions on the last offensive which will unfortunately not be transformed against the Romanians who seem to have regained their will at the end of the half. (16-19, MT).
Psychological ascendancy returned to Romanians
At the restart, the two teams find new solutions against goalkeepers who cannot take off from their 3-4 saves. And the failure to fire Bouktit will now lead the Romanians one step behind (19-20, 33′). It must be said that the defensive pressure given to the center by Emilie Arntzen et Jaukovic does good for the morale of Romanian women. With renewed confidence and a supportive audience, the CSM managed to restart the match (22-22, 38′). Mayonnade decides to take his time out and make his first changes with the entry of Petra Let’s go and Zsofi Szemerey. But the reaction has not yet arrived: the Messines remain passive in the face of the Romanians who are clearly taking the psychological advantage. It took three minutes for Mayonnade sets a new timeout to break the rhythm set (25-22, 41′). The Messines pull themselves together and finally find their way to the goal (25-23, 43′). And the combativeness of Flippes and the audacity of Valentini ensure the reaction we expected, which promises a final quarter of an hour under high tension (25-25, 44′). On the other side, we can count on the Germans, Smits and Alina Grijseels to compete. The exclusion ofHomoergy could offer a positive window to Messines, but that was without counting on the awakening of Moreschi which complicates the task for the French who can no longer find the way to goal (30-27, 50′).
The last ten unbearable minutes
The numerical inferiority will not have disturbed the Romanians who continue to impose their offensive rhythm, and yet without Cristina Black who has been camped on the bench since the first half. The solution will also come from the guardians… And that is Darleux, returned to the field, who took care of it, making two consecutive parades on Friis to revive his team (30-30, 53′). And at work on a seventh parade, Bouktit just have to deceive Moreschi to regain the lead (30-31, 54′). It must be said that the 3-3 proposed by Mayonnade for a few minutes the French have been succeeding, who are more mobile in defense. Valentini also succeeds in his interception and converts his counter-attack (30-32, 56′). Thanks to strong nerves, the ascendancy returns to the West, even if we would have liked that the refusal of play was not whistled on the goal of Flippes. Because the -1 ball goes back to the Romanians. The CSM right winger found the top corner, and the Messines were unable to convert their second and final attack. The last possession will therefore be in the hands of the Romanians who have the possibility of “winning the tie.” But thanks to the latest efforts of Darleuxand defensive pressure, Kobylinska cannot turn the situation around. The cry of relief is heard, and the smile on the lips of the Messines who leave victorious from this trip (31-32, SF).
We will meet the Messines after the international break, next Sunday November 10 at 2 p.m. in Slovenia (Krim Mercator Ljubljana) in Ana’s new club Gros and Tamara Horaceck.
