Oh là là, what outrageousness and what happiness!

This Sunday afternoon will go down in history at the Super Amara Bera Bera. Let there be no doubt. Not so much for accessing the Q3 of the European Handball League, but also for the way of doing it. What ability these players have to make the fans enjoy and what ease to become great on one of the most difficult courses on the European scene! In short, how easy it is to fall in love in the city of love.

Because being realistic, practically no one expected that the Donostiarras could win and above all at home this powerful Paris 92, current co-leader of one of the most powerful leagues on the planet and the ‘bogeyman’ of the competition. One of the favorites, without a doubt, to win the final title and that has in its ranks real world stars such as Niombla, Flippes, Offendal and company. Players that in Donostia you could never dream of, at least right now.

But when you face Bera Bera, all that physical, tactical and technical superiority – which clearly existed – ends up being insufficient. And for the second consecutive Sunday those directed by Imanol Álvarez demonstrated it again. From humility, perseverance, full confidence in the person next door and teamwork. Something that Paris 92 lacked at times, which tried to find solutions through individual quality when luck was not in their favor without obtaining a result. Thus, play by play, minute by minute, Super Amara was cooking what would ultimately end up being a feat. Because it has no other name. What outrageousness and what happiness!

To achieve this anniversary the key was in the second part, which was a delight, a platonic dream. Something that will never be forgotten. Because the Gipuzkoan women crushed the Parisians in every way and the 7-16 partial says it all. In goal Aalla gave a recital with 14 interventions and Alice stopped the only shot that was launched at a decisive moment. For its part, the defense, led by Menéndez and Loidi in the central axis, worked like a charm. In large part because of the aggressiveness, but even more because of the agility and mobility of the legs, which allowed them to go up and down to collide constantly to the point of drowning and leaving Paris 92 without ideas. What is said soon.

Their influence on the result is the more than nine minutes that Bera Bera went without conceding after the restart. And when he did, it was from the seven-meter line. But it is that also in attack the benefit was stratospheric. And if not, ask Esther Arrojeria or Mariane Fernandes, who dressed up as heroines to, with 6 and 8 targets, respectively, carry a team that did everything perfectly, no matter where you look.

An initial 3-0 is scary

Although the important thing is how it ends and not how it begins, the San Sebastian team could pay dearly for its bad start to the game. In a Palais des Sports Robert Charpentier that presented a good tackle, Super Amara came out stiff and committed several turnovers and clear errors in shooting, although it is true that part of the blame was Gabriel, the French goalkeeper who was seen very intoned during the first act.

However, and living up to its motto this season, Bera Bera showed character and strength and reacted in time to the 3-0 partial with goals from Fernandes and Polonio. Although in another blink of an eye, Paris 92 escaped again until 6-3 that forced Álvarez to request the first time-out after minute ten.

From there, Aalla went into action causing the defense to wake up and, therefore, improve to the point that the team approached 12-10 three minutes before the break. He even enjoyed possession to reduce the disadvantage, but far from doing so he found a target from Cissokho – it was his fourth, although almost all with luck – and another from Namizata Fofana for the 14-10 with which the dressing rooms lined up.

Magic talk at break

Imanol’s words during the break must have been magical, because if not it is very difficult to understand and explain how Bera Bera was able to overcome four goals to end up winning by five. What is clear is that after the resumption the French women were put at night. Because they were not able to overcome the defensive 6: 0 until Offendal with a penalty ended a drought of more than nine minutes. By then, those of Bidebieta had already tied and the exhibition of Fernandes and Arrojeria had already begun.

Loidi tries to defend Niombla in a match set. /

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Although the turning point was marked by an action by Polonio. It was minute 47, with 17-17 on the scoreboard. As the smartest in the class, she received the ball in thirty feet and turned unopposed to enter like Pedro through her house. It was the first time that the Super Amara got ahead and began to believe that it was truly possible. And although Sajka drew again, O’Mullony first and Maitane Etxeberria later, after stealing and going to the counter, placed 18-20 with ten from the end.

The feat was getting closer and closer and the Paris 92, more and more sunk. So the Gipuzkoans continued to insist and a hip from Cavo put the 20-24 that served to break the match. The last minute was a party and the thirty fans who traveled to the capital of France sang the ‘March of San Sebastián’ while the players celebrated it on the bench. Now it’s time to rest and start thinking about the Romanian Ramnicu Valcea, the last obstacle before entering the long-awaited group stage.

With the tie at 27 of the first leg, the headline was: These women are made of another paste. But with the victory this Sunday it is practically impossible to find an adjective that encompasses everything that happened on the Parisian 40×20. Because Super Amara Bera Bera has not only beaten one of the most powerful teams in the competition and current co-leader of the French league, but has also crushed it with a second half to remember. The partial 7-16 says it all.

And that the game has not started quite well for the San Sebastian, who have conceded a 3-0 partial that could have been decisive. However, those trained by Imanol Álvarez have not given up and have continued to row to catch up with Paris 92 before the break (12-10). However, an arreón of the finery has allowed them to line up the locker room with a favorable 14-10.

But the talk of the break must have been miraculous, because the performance of the donostiarras during the second thirty minutes has been great. From another planet. Fernandes has destroyed the 6: 0 of Paris 92 on numerous occasions and Aalla’s saves have been decisive. In fact, it took the French almost ten minutes to score the first goal after the restart.

Thus, Bera Bera accesses the Q3 of the European Handball League, where the Romanian Ramnicu Valcea is already waiting.