Metz Clinches Fifth Straight Coupe de France Title with Commanding Win Over Dijon

Metz handball team secured their fifth consecutive Coupe de France title with a convincing 33-21 victory against Dijon in the final held at Bercy. This triumph marks Metz’s 14th Coupe de France championship and reinforces their dominance in French women’s handball.

The match saw Metz assert control early, leading 13-7 at halftime. Goalkeeper Johanna Bundsen was instrumental in Metz's success, achieving a 61% save percentage in the first half and finishing with a total of 14 saves. On the offensive end, Sarah Bouktit was outstanding, scoring 12 goals from 14 attempts, significantly contributing to Metz’s commanding performance.

Dijon started actively, with captain Valero and goalkeeper Manu making efforts to keep the team competitive during the first half. However, injuries hit Dijon hard, particularly with the early second-half loss of key player Lilou Pintat, which hampered their chances of closing the gap. Despite efforts from players like Nina and Amel Dury, Dijon was unable to contain Metz's offensive surge, as Metz widened their lead to 18-8 within the first ten minutes of the second half.

While Metz celebrated this Coupe de France victory, they face challenges ahead, with Brest likely to claim the French championship title this season. Nevertheless, Metz looks forward optimistically to the upcoming Final Four of the Champions League scheduled in Budapest in two weeks, building on their strong recent performances.

This victory further cements Metz as the premier force in French handball, with their blend of defensive resilience, offensive firepower, and tactical discipline proving too much for their rivals in the Coupe de France final.