Marseille and Pays d’Aix will compete in the final of the French League. Marseille reached the final by convincingly beating Montpellier twice in the semifinals of the playoffs, while Pays d’Aix advanced after a thrilling three-match series against Strasbourg. Aix earned a 15:14 win in the decisive third game thanks to a late comeback.
This will be the second time in the club’s history that Pays d’Aix plays in the final, following its second-place finish in 2019. Marseille, on the other hand, aims to secure its fifth consecutive national title and its 42nd overall.
Marseille cruised to the final. In the first match, it recorded an away 16:7 win over Marseille. More than ten goals separated the rivals at the end of the second game. Marseille won 18:7. Alexandre Bouet was outstanding in both games. He scored seven goals in the first match and four in the second. Thomas Vernoux contributed to Marseille’s success with eight goals (five in the first game and three in the encounter in Marseille.
Strasbourg and Pays d’Aix played three games in the semifinals.
Strasbourg opened the series with a 14:11 victory at home, after being 8:2 up at halftime. Steven Vitrant scored four goals, while Vlado Popadic contributed three. For Pays d’Aix, Khasz and Bertran each scored three goals.
The second game, held in Aix-en-Provence, featured numerous twists and turns, with Pays d’Aix emerging victorious 11:10. Japanese player Taiyo Watanabe scored the winning goal from a penalty shot with just 51 seconds remaining.
Pays d’Aix, which finished second in the regular season, enjoyed the home-field advantage in the third and decisive match. However, Strasbourg controlled the pace for most of the game. Deep into the second period, Strasbourg held a 4-goal lead at 9:5. Pays d’Aix managed to cut the deficit to 7:9, and then to 8:10. But Strasbourg regained a 4-goal advantage, entering the final period ahead 12:8. Pays d’Aix had a mountain to climb, and it made it. The hosts tied the game at 14:14 after Tom Beteille converted a man-up opportunity. Once again, it was Taiyo Watanabe who sealed the victory for Pays d’Aix, scoring during a 6-on-5 situation in the 31st minute to make it 15:14. Watanabe was instrumental in the win, scoring seven goals. Vlado Popadic from Strasbourg also netted seven goals and his teammate Marko Petkovic scored five times.
Pays d’Aix will host the first game of the final on May 17, while the second and, if necessary, the third games will take place in Marseille.
2024/25 French League, Playoffs, semifinals (best of three)
1st games
Montpellier – Marseille 7:16 (1:5, 1:4, 2:5, 3:2)
Strasbourg – Pays d’Aix 14:11 (6:2, 2:0, 3:3, 3:6)
2nd games
Marseille – Montpellier 18:7 (5:2, 5:3, 4:0, 4:2)
Pays d’Aix -Strasbourg 11:10 (2:2, 3:4, 3:2, 3:2)
3rd game
Pays d’Aix – Strasbourg 15:14 (3:4, 3:5, 3:4, 6:1)
