Handball – D2 Proligue: the end of the playoff dream for GBDH

Like their loyal and fervent supporters, they dreamed of continuing their formidable second half of the season through to the play-offs in D2 Prologue. But the Bisontin handball players will ultimately not be able to capture the final spot in the Top 6 qualifiers during the last two days of the championship. After seven consecutive victories in the Palais des Sports, has GBDH was beaten (27-31) at home by Sarrebourg this Friday evening. A defeat mathematically synonymous with 7th place, at best…

A more than promising season despite everything

It’s true, it’s a big disappointment to have lost against this Mosel team, 10th in the ranking and still four goals behind (22-18) twenty minutes after the end of the match (break: 16 -14). Despite everything, it really is the season of Bisontin renewal. On the eve of the Christmas break, GBDH were in 14th and penultimate place… Before they enjoy this delightful and exciting climb back to the gates of the playoffs.

The fruit of the work of total or almost total reconstruction of the squad (80% new players) desired by the coach last summer: Christophe Viennet, the former player and coach of the club returned to the Bisontin fold seven years after he left for Sélestat , where he in particular led the Alsatians to the title of French D2 champion in 2022.
Christophe Viennet therefore brought back this “ambition and winning culture” to Besançon: GBDH (formerly ESBM since 2015) had not finished in the first part of the D2 table for more than twenty years (6th place in 2001 and 2002). The Besançon handball players mainly spent their seasons fighting to maintain themselves, as best they could (three relegations to Nationale 1: 2003, 2009, 2018).

The great promises of this financial year 2023-2024 must obviously be confirmed next season: it is good, it is the desire and the objective of everyone in Grand Besançon Doubs Handball!