A show in Chaumont!

The Lemouton gymnasium welcomes two great women's handball teams this Saturday at 5 p.m. On one side, ALC Longvic Handball, 4th in N2 last season, and on the other, AS Saint-Maure Troyes, recently relegated from N1 and coached by Xavier Leseur.

This warm-up match for these two teams, both participating in the upcoming National 2 championship, is a real opportunity for all handball fans to witness a women's match of this level. The last time Chaumont had the opportunity to experience matches of this level was in the 2020/2021 season, two years after a certain Xavier Leseur, then coach of the ECAC women's handball team, helped the Haute-Marne club reach National 2.

Xavier Leseur was indeed at the helm of the ECAC women's handball team for several seasons. A stint at the prefectural club went very well. After good management and remarkable game systems during the 2017/2018 season, Xavier Leseur led his team to the women's N2. A championship where he was able to keep his team in place until his departure during the summer off-season in 2019. Following his departure, the Chaumont club lost its splendor, where the women's team suffered several sporting relegations.

Xavier Leseur's career path has been quite different. He has since crisscrossed France, moving from Chaumont (N2) to Epinal (N1), then from the Vosges to Ajaccio (N2), before joining AS Saint-Maure Troyes. The Aube-based team experienced promotion from Nationale 2 to Nationale 1 after the arrival of the Haute-Marne coach. Following a complicated 2024/2025 season, the Saint-Maure Troyes women's team have made the climb, and will return to the N2 championship in a few weeks.

And for their preparation, this trip to Chaumont should offer a great matchup. Between AS Saint-Maure Troyes, recently relegated from N1, and ALC Longvic Handball, 4th in N2 last season, the match seems balanced. A close match between the two National 2 women's teams, which should keep fans of the little ball on the edge of their seats until the very end.

A handball show open to all at the Lemouton gymnasium in Chaumont, where admission is free, with refreshments on site. Kick-off will be at 5 p.m.

Yohan Bourrelier

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