Beaten 33-27 at Plock, HBC Nantes will not see the main round of the Champions League this season.
HBC Nantes saw their European campaign come to a premature end. Traveling to Plock, Poland, for the sixth round of the Champions League group stage, the Nantais were beaten 33-27. This defeat robs them of any chance of competing in the main round this season.
From the very start, Plock's players imposed their rhythm. The Nantais, too often troubled by the Polish defense, never managed to turn the tide. Despite a reaction in the second half, the gap remained too large to hope for a comeback. The Poles managed their lead and sealed the victory in the final minutes.
This elimination is part of a difficult European campaign. HBC Nantes won only one of their six group matches, a record insufficient to claim a place in the rest of the competition. The Nantais players and staff expressed their disappointment, admitting that the level shown was not up to expectations. Qualification did not seem deserved given the collective performances.
For the club, this early exit is a halt. After several seasons in which Nantes was among the best European teams, this group-stage elimination marks a setback. HBC Nantes will have to focus on their national objectives, particularly the Starligue championship and the Coupe de France, to get back on track.
The Nantais supporters, present in large numbers in Plock, supported their team until the end, but could not avoid the disappointment. The club will have to learn the lessons of this campaign to return stronger on the European stage next season.
From the very start, Plock's players imposed their rhythm. The Nantais, too often troubled by the Polish defense, never managed to turn the tide. Despite a reaction in the second half, the gap remained too large to hope for a comeback. The Poles managed their lead and sealed the victory in the final minutes.
This elimination is part of a difficult European campaign. HBC Nantes won only one of their six group matches, a record insufficient to claim a place in the rest of the competition. The Nantais players and staff expressed their disappointment, admitting that the level shown was not up to expectations. Qualification did not seem deserved given the collective performances.
For the club, this early exit is a halt. After several seasons in which Nantes was among the best European teams, this group-stage elimination marks a setback. HBC Nantes will have to focus on their national objectives, particularly the Starligue championship and the Coupe de France, to get back on track.
The Nantais supporters, present in large numbers in Plock, supported their team until the end, but could not avoid the disappointment. The club will have to learn the lessons of this campaign to return stronger on the European stage next season.
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Source: Ouest-France