The quarter-finals of the Coupe de France did not reserve any surprises, good or bad, for the three Ile-de-France clubs still in the running this Sunday, March 8. Logically, PSG joined the last four while Créteil and Ivry left the competition.
PSG leaves no crumb to Dunkirk
Irresistible and impressive mastery in France since the start of the season, PSG started the steamroller again at Coubertin. Dunkirk (7th in Starligue after three losses in a row) could only see the damage caused by the invincible leader of the championship, victorious by more than ten goals in all logic (32-21).
Despite the stops of Samir Bellahcene, the former goalkeeper of Massy, the Northerners were quickly picked up (8-3, 12th). The four lengths of delay at the break (16-12) or even at the resumption (21-17, 40th) did not hold up under the blows of Nedim Remili, in great shape, or Mikkel Hansen.
"We had a serious match and we were able to put rhythm, without ever relaxing," said Parisian captain Luka Karabatic at the microphone of La Chaîne L'Equipe. Last year, we were eliminated prematurely from this Coupe de France (Editor's note: in the quarterfinals in Montpellier) , and we are keen to go to the end. "
Already winner of the Champions Trophy, PSG is still in the race to achieve the Grand Slam. Unbeaten Starligue leaders (17 wins and a draw), six points ahead of Nantes, qualified for the Final Four of the League Cup next weekend at Le Mans and future 8th finalists in the Champions League, Raul Gonzalez's men will try to win the 5th French Cup in club history after 2007, 2014, 2015 and 2018.
The Rouge et Bleu join @chartresmhb @mhbofficiel and @HBCNantes in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France!
Next meeting next weekend at Le Mans for the Final4 of the League Cup. pic.twitter.com/bptghgw8NG
Créteil shakes Montpellier
Montpellier (4th in Starligue) may have lost some of its superb, the challenge was high for Créteil, even invigorated by two successes in the league against Istres (27-26) and Chartres (30-29). The red lantern of the elite was however on the verge of achieving a huge feat in its hall at the end of an unbreathable remount. Little consolation, the Cristoliens came out through the front door, beaten only after the penalty session (31-32) after a draw (28-28) in regular time.
The day was off to a bad start for Pierre Montorier's men, who were taken off the scoreboard from the first quarter of an hour and victims of a big, aimless nine-minute air hole (7-14, 26th). Led by eight lengths (13-20, 38th) then another five to less than five minutes from the end (23-27, 56th), the Rams managed the tour de force to equalize four seconds before the end by Yoann Gibelin , little successful so far (3/8 on shots).
But the 7m jets were ultimately fatal. If the doorman Cristolien Dylan Be repelled the attempt of the former of the house, Hugo Descat, Boïba Sissoko, asillor scorer Cristolien of the match with Valentin Aman (7 goals each), sent his on the post before Javier Borragan abuts the Montpellier porter. The dream has passed.
[#coupedefrance - Quarter final]
🏆 Direction the semifinals for the @mhbofficiel who wins against the @ USCreteilHB after a penalty shootout 🤗
🔚 @USCreteilHB 🆚 @mhbofficiel: 31-32 pic.twitter.com/l6RNaYxmxe
Ivry explodes in Nantes
The mission seemed even more impossible for Ivry, traveling to Nantes, the dolphin of PSG in the championship. And indeed, the first non-relegation (12th) of Starligue did not weigh very heavy in the lair of the "H", nickname of the Nantes club, victorious in large widths (43-26).
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Led from start to finish, Sébastien Quintallet's troops were quickly overwhelmed by local waves (72% on shots against only 53 at Ivry). The 21 bullet losses were unacceptable for the Ivryans. So much so that mass was said at the break (24-12).
Despite the 8/10 shooting by Mohamed Antonin, the Val de Marnais will have lived through hell to the end, suffering their heaviest defeat of the season, by far.
✋ Coaches satisfied with their team. Well done guys! #HBCNUSI pic.twitter.com/EXtVdYRtJF
- HBCNantes (@HBCNantes) March 8, 2020