Montpellier kicked off their league season in style, crushing promoted Dijon with an impressive 30-21 score. This victory places the Hérault club alongside giants such as Paris Saint-Germain, Tremblay, Chartres, and Nîmes, sharing the top spot in the standings. With an impenetrable defense and irresistible attacking play, Montpellier demonstrated their determination to dominate the Liqui Moly Starligue from the start.
A resounding victory over Dijon
Montpellier left promoted Dijon no chance, demonstrating their blazing superiority on the opening day of the Liqui Moly Starligue. At the helm, formidable goalkeeper Rémi Desbonnet set the bar high with an impressive save percentage of 43%, adding an assist that helped open the scoring (7-1 in the 12th minute). Thanks to an all-out attack, led by Spanish right winger David Balaguer, who scored five goals, Montpellier opened up a decisive 12-2 lead in the 22nd minute. Captain Valentin Porte, celebrating his 35th birthday, expressed his satisfaction with this strong and intense performance.
A Promising Start to the Season
Montpellier Handball (MHB) has started its season with a bang. After winning all its warm-up matches, including a resounding victory in the Champions Trophy against Paris (29-23), the club continues its impeccable run with this first victory. Strengthened by a revamped team under the direction of Erick Mathé, MHB displays a calm and confident attitude capable of taking it far in this championship. Montpellier is currently among the co-leaders, sharing first place with several other competitive teams. A big challenge for Dijon
Sunday’s match marked a difficult start to the league for the newly promoted team.
Dijon With the lowest budget in the league, Dijon struggled against the intensity of a team like Montpellier, a lesson underscored by their captain, Pierrick Naudin. Despite the efforts of Alexis Berthier, who scored four goals, Dijon will have to adjust their strategy for future matches, particularly the one against Aix. This tough match will serve as a valuable lesson for them in adapting to the demands of this elite league.Outlook for the rest of the season
While this first matchday held its share of surprises with clashes between Nantes and Limoges, as well as defeats by Toulouse and Aix, Montpellier is preparing to face Chartres on the next matchday of the league. These results promise a season full of twists and turns and clearly demonstrate that
Montpellier is ready to face any competitor to maintain its place among the best. Discover other facets of Montpellier life through major events by visiting the Tomato Festival
, citizen initiatives by clicking here, and events that make the city’s heart beat.