Limoges Survive Marítimo’s Late Comeback
Limoges Handball secured a dramatic 31–30 victory over Marítimo da Madeira after seeing a seven-goal second-half advantage disappear in a thrilling finish.
Limoges took control early after an evenly balanced opening. With the score at 3–3, the French side increased the pressure and produced their first significant run of the match, opening an 11–5 advantage. Marítimo responded and managed to reduce the deficit, but Limoges remained in control. A strong finish to the opening period restored their advantage, with the hosts taking an 18–13 lead into halftime. The same pattern continued after the restart. Limoges maintained their advantage and reached their biggest lead of the match at 24–17 in the 37th minute. At that stage, the home side appeared to have established firm control. Marítimo, however, gradually changed the momentum. The Portuguese side reduced the deficit to three goals at 26–23 and continued to stay within reach as the match entered its final ten minutes. With Limoges leading 30–27, Marítimo produced one final push. Rúben Santos scored twice before Luciano Silva completed a three-goal run to level the game at 30–30 with less than four minutes remaining. The final minutes became a battle of execution under pressure. Limoges regained the lead at 31–30 with 38 seconds remaining, but Marítimo still had one final opportunity. With only two seconds left, Diogo Silva’s attempt hit the post, allowing Limoges to escape with a one-goal victory.
THE GAME, MOMENT BY MOMENT.
TEAM STATISTICS
Limoges HandballMaritimo da Madeira Andebol/SADSHOOTING PROFILE.
Limoges HandballSHOT MAP
SHOOTING PROFILE
Maritimo da Madeira Andebol/SADSHOT MAPPLAYERS WHO SHAPED THE GAME.
Gauthier Ivah played an important role for Limoges, finishing with 13 saves and a 30% save rate. Jenilson Monteiro delivered a perfect offensive performance with four goals from four shots, while Piotr Mielczarski scored four goals from six attempts. Tom Pelayo added three goals from four shots for 75% efficiency. For Marítimo, Luciano Silva led the offensive production with eight goals from ten attempts for 80% efficiency and also contributed six assists. Diogo Silva scored four goals, while Rúben Santos finished with three goals and four assists. Carlos Oliveira provided a major contribution in goal for Marítimo, recording seven saves from 17 shots for an impressive 41% save rate.
#51 MONTEIRO Jenilson
#24 MIELCZARSKI Piotr
#59 PELAYO Tom
#14 SILVA Luciano
#24 SILVA Diogo
#27 SANTOS Ruben
THE LAST LINE.
#26 IVAH Gauthier
#37 OLIVEIRA Carlos Daniel
WHAT DECIDED THE GAME
Limoges’ greater shooting efficiency gave them an important advantage throughout the match. The French side converted 67% of their 46 attempts, compared with Marítimo’s 59% from 51 shots. Limoges also received the stronger overall goalkeeping return, finishing with 13 saves compared with nine for Marítimo. However, the second half showed how quickly the balance could change. Limoges committed 11 turnovers after halftime, while Marítimo committed only eight, helping the Portuguese side generate more possessions and progressively reduce a seven-goal deficit. The decisive difference ultimately came down to the smallest of margins. Marítimo successfully completed the comeback to reach 30–30, but Limoges found one final goal and then survived the last possession when Diogo Silva’s shot hit the post with two seconds remaining. After 60 minutes in which Limoges controlled long periods and Marítimo produced a remarkable late recovery, a single final shot separated victory from a draw.