Ball-de-Cuques Ball Plan: The Provencal player opens the ball in the girls D1

This Wednesday, September 9, the HBPC player, Handball Plan-de-Cuques, returns to the Butagaz Energie League, the first women's division. Thirteen years after the season is the only one at this level, the fighters reconnect with the elite.
Published on 09/09/2020 at 4:23 PM • Updated on 09/09/2020 at 5:16 PM
HBPC players and staff, on the official night of the new shirts exhibition, Friday 4 September.
HBPC players and staff, on the official night of the new shirts exhibition, Friday 4 September. • © F. Llopis
Bouches-du-Rhône Marseille
# TeamWar Kontak. On the network, they are only served with this hashtag. The nickname has stuck with them for years, as a reader of their appearance last season. On Friday, April 17, the final round of the 2019-2020 championship due to the health crisis froze the standings. Result: The HBPC player, the leader of the group, was immediately pushed to D1.

This Wednesday, September 9th, it really fell. "I feel mixed excitement and impatience after 6 months without playing a single official match. The public knows us as fighters who never let go, this is an opportunity to show them that we have not changed," said Manon Grimaud, the team's middle half.
 
Thirteen years after a season at just this level, the Provencal handball players from Plan-de-Cuques will play their first game of the 2020-2021 season in the world against Nantes, 3rd overall in last year's D1. They accompany neighbors Var (Toulon Saint-Cyr) and Alpes-Maritimes (OGC Nice) in the Butagaz Energie League, the first women's division to unite France's 14 best clubs.
 
"But no pressure! It's all about getting back to feeling good," added Aurélie Goubel, captain. "We have made a dream come true, is to reach the highest level, together, at the club of our hearts," said the two players.
Preparation "cut"
Mid-July, the HBPC players continued training. But the positive cases of Covid-19 in his workforce disrupted the plan. Friendly matches against OGC Nice and Toulon Saint-Cyr were called off, seriously hampering the momentum of their preparation.
 
Story on the club's instagram page: Players take a Covid-19 screening test on Monday, September 7, two days before the start of the championship. Everything is negative.
Story on the club's instagram page: Players take a Covid-19 screening test on Monday, September 7, two days before the start of the championship. Everything is negative. • © @handballplandecuques
 
"Our heads hit because it came at the worst time: when we finally got to play football, after three weeks of athletics," recalled Manon Grimaud.

Very active in the network, fighters want to reassure themselves: they stay fit and have daily sessions in small groups (less than 10 people) and more than that, they adapt.
 
"It was very frustrating, we felt like we were two teams," regrets Aurélie Goubel. "Another gallery" that ultimately strengthens the group, he said. "We can be less armed alone tonight but we expect a collective like last year. This is what makes us strong: we are close friends. We are each interesting. The bonus this year is learning!" Add the captain with the left wing.
The cut above
The increase in D1 should lead to change. And starting with the arrival of a new coach, one of the youngest in the D1 championship: Angélique Spincer. "The team stayed to the point, so I immediately felt comfortable. I am still in contact mode with the girls, but little by little I feel they are compliant with what I offer them," he said.

With more than 15 years of his career as a professional player, Angélique Spincer draws on his experience, philosophy and playing authority: "I know all the effort that must be made consistently when playing at a high level. I am perfect at work, competitive, and I have an eye for detail. This is what I can bring to the girls: to be precise. In D1, you have to be careful because the balls are expensive. "
 
Angélique Spincer, handwritten mark