HBC Nantes concluded its summer preseason schedule with a dominant 34-22 victory over Caen at the H Arena, according to match reports. Playing in front of a home crowd of approximately 5,000 spectators, Nantes secured a comfortable 12-goal margin to maintain a winning momentum heading into the upcoming competitive campaign.
First-Half Dominance Sets the Tone
The match began with a competitive opening phase as both teams traded early blows, according to match statistics. Nantes carved out a narrow 6-4 advantage by the eighth minute, featuring early contributions from newcomers Ihor Turchenko and Imanol Garciandia. Rok Ovnicek orchestrated the offense to establish a 9-7 lead by the 12th minute as the coaching staff utilized squad rotation to test various tactical combinations.
As the first half progressed, Nantes accelerated its attacking output to pull away on the scoreboard. By the 25th minute, the hosts extended their advantage to 12 goals at 19-7, overwhelming Caen’s defensive structure. Yoni Peyrabout scored the final goal just before the halftime buzzer, sending Nantes into the locker room with a commanding 22-11 lead.
Sustaining Momentum and Youth Integration
The second half mirrored the trajectory of the opening period, with Nantes maintaining control of the tempo. By the 40th minute, the home side preserved a secure 26-16 cushion, preventing any meaningful comeback attempt from Caen. In the closing stages, partner player Sacha Grenapin entered the match and netted his first goal in the 54th minute, drawing applause from the home supporters.
According to club records of the summer schedule, HBC Nantes finished its preparations with an unblemished record across all exhibition and European matches. The club’s preseason slate included victories against Hungarian sides Tatabánya and Szeged, as well as European outings against Płock and Montpellier.
Upcoming EHF Champions League Opener
With the summer preparations successfully finalized, HBC Nantes turns its focus toward official competition. According to the European Handball Federation calendar, Nantes will play its opening EHF Champions League fixture against Płock on September 9 at 8:45 PM.
Related reading