It was the last shock of the year 2025 for Provençal handball. In a crucial duel for maintenance and ranking, Pays d’Aix Université Club gained the upper hand over Istres Provence Handball (28-24). A result which offers a breath of fresh air to the Aixois but plunges the Istreans into doubt before the long winter break.
For the PAUC, this victory is a relief. Manhandled at the start of the season, Eric Forets’ men ended the year on a positive note by going back to the 9th place of the ranking.
At the NHL TV microphone, the left back Robin Molinié savor this success acquired through pain: “This Sunday evening, it was far from perfect, but we managed to have a small margin over Istres almost the entire match”.
This victory validates the rise in power of the Aix collective. “I feel that there is a progression, an evolution over the months”analyzes Molinié, confident for the future. “We will work hard in January to continue this process and for the points to shift in our direction to get ahead of our direct competitors”.
Istres: “We no longer have a choice”
The atmosphere is necessarily more gloomy at Istres Provence Handball. With this defeat, the Violets remain in the lead… but starting from the end. Always latest from Liqui Moly StarligueIstreans pay dearly for their missed appointments.
The captain and goalkeeper Romain Mathias draws up a lucid assessment, without being catastrophist: “It’s difficult, honestly, we’re last. We missed the appointments that we shouldn’t have missed. Afterwards, it’s not catastrophic, it’s not disappointing given the new group, but we hoped for better”.
On a personal level, the Istrian goalkeeper had a solid season crowned by a call-up to the French team, but collective frustration prevailed: “For me it’s okay, but we’re not winning, so it’s mixed”.
Heading for February 2026
The international break comes at the right time for both teams. The championship will only resume its rights on February 13, 2026.
For Istres, the objective is clear: take advantage of this break to remobilize. “We will continue to work and come back stronger in the second part of the season. Either way, we’re last, we no longer have a choice.”concludes Romain Mathias. The tone is set: 2026 will be the year of the “comeback” or it will not be.
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