On the occasion of the 25th day of the Liqui Moly StarLigue, HBC Nantes traveled to Istres.
At the beginning of the game, the two teams were evenly matched (3′ 1-1). The Nantais had to adapt to a very high Istre defense (almost a 3-3) and offensive phases played with 2 pivots (5′ 2-2). Araujo attempted twice but it was “H” that worked well in transition with Kauldi Odriozola (7′ 2-4). In the Provencal goal, Nick Deekens thwarted some Nantais attempts, but Nicolas Tounrnat proved to be the solution in the end (13′ 4-6). Mobile in defense, the Violets punished any opponent mistake directly (15′ 5-8). Even numerically inferior, “H” remained very strong in defense, as shown by this power move caused by Rok Ovnicek on the opponent’s left winger (19′ 7-11). This was followed by a small gap with some errors or turnovers (25′ 11-14) but not enough to worry Aymeric Minne who outpaced the Istres defense and provoked a 7-meter shot well converted by his captain Valero Rivera (26′ 11-15). At halftime, HBC Nantes led by 6 points: 13-16.
The start of the second period began at full speed (34′ 16-24). No less than 10 goals scored in 5 minutes (35′ 17-25). “H” assured and Grégory Cojean continued to rotate his squad widely in order to distribute playing time, with Yoni Peyarbout notably shining twice (45′ 24-31). Nacho Biosca made a convincing entrance, as did Rok Ovnicek who created spaces (49′ 26-34). Well served by his Slovenian center, Nicolas Tournat continued his show at 6 meters (50′ 26-35). Young Yoni Peyrabout was effective on his wing as in defense where he intercepted a ball at the end of the game (56′ 29-36). Solid, HBC Nantes won 31-40.
HBC Nantes: Ivan PESIC (3/13), Nacho BIOSCA (7/28), Romain LAGARDE (1/2), Thibaud BRIET (5/5), Aymeric MINNE (3/3), Shuichi YOSHIDA (1/1), Valero RIVERA (3/5), O’Brian NYATEU (2/2), Theo AVELANGE-DEMOUGE (1/2), Rok OVNICEK (1/2), Nicolas TOURNAT (10/10), Julien BOS (0/2), Ayoub ABDI (3/5), Kauldi ODRIOZOLA (4/5), Yoni PEYRABOUT (4/4), Andre WENKEGHEU (1/1)
Istres: Nick DEEKENS (5/37), Hugo IANNONE (4/12), Edmilson ARAUJO (6/8), Nathy CAMARA (6/7), Theo LAUFRAY (0/1), Lubin GENSOULEN (3/6), Thomas BOILESEN, Thomas BORTOLI (1/1), Robin DOURTE (3/3), Aurelien PADOLUS (2/2), Jakov DUJIC, Guenole GAILLARD (1/3), Olsi MULAJ, Guiherme BORGES (5/6), Thomas MARTINON (1/2), Mohammad SANAD (3/4)
The HBC Nantes will host Barcelona for their Champions League quarter-final on Thursday, April 30 at 8:45 p.m. and then Chambéry on Sunday, May 3 at 5:00 p.m.
