Marseille and Noisy-le-Sec qualified for the final of the playoffs of the French League.
Marseille convincingly defeated Montpellier in both games of the semifinals. Noisy-le-Sec lost to Strasbourg in the return leg (7:8), but it kept an advantage earned in 1st leg (11:7). The Parisians reached their first-ever final of the French League.
Tourcoing upset Pays d’Aix in the return leg of the playoffs for the 5th place and qualified for the LEN Euro Cup.
2020/21 French Championship, playoffs
Semifinals (best-of-two), 2nd leg
Strasbourg – Noisy-le-Sec 8:7 (3:3, 1:1, 1:1, 3:2) – first match 7:11
Strasbourg: Valentino 3, Markovic 2, Missy 1, Babic 1, Denux 1.
Noisy-le-Sec: Marzouki 3, Guerin 1, Peisson 1, Petkovic 1, Krapic 1.
Marseille – Montpellier 26:6 (6:2, 6:1, 7:1, 7:1) – first match 15:7
Marseille: Spaic 4, Izdinsky 4, Crousillat 3, Djurdjic 3, Vernoux 3, Marion-Vernoux 2, Vukicevic 2, Camarasa 2, Olivon 2, CUckovic 1.
Montpellier: Ivankovic 3, Mustur 1, Kalinic 1, Spillaeret 1.
The second encounter between Noisy-le-Sec and Strasbourg was an even contest, with a few twists and turns, but Noisy’s advantage in the aggregate score was never in danger. The difference between the teams was never bigger than a goal. Besides, Noisy was in front for most of the time. Before the final quarter, the sides were tied at 5:5. Noisy took the lead twice in the fourth period (6:5 and 7:6). The hosts scored two consecutive goals in the last 88 seconds and recorded a consolation 8:7 victory.
Marseille, which played without Andrija Prlainovic in the second game against Montpellier, ran over the rival and proved that it was the big favorite, not just in this match but in the entire season.
The finals (best-of-two) will be played on May 19 and 22. Noisy will be the host in the first game.
On the same days, Strasbourg and Montpellier will face off in the third-place playoffs. The first game will be played in Montpellier.
For 5th place (best-of-two), 2nd leg
Pays d’Aix – Tourcoing 7:11 (2:3, 2:3, 3:1, 0:4) – first match 9:7
Pays d’Aix: Popadic 2, Gluhaic 2, Djerkovic 1, Dino 1, Monneret 1.
Tourcoing: Kujacic 4, Randjic 3, Avena 1, Rocchietta 1, Canonne 1, Krisman 1.
Pays d’Aix, the 4th-placed team in the regular season, was the favorite in the playoffs for the 5th place. Aix made a big step towards the goal after a 9:7 win in the first game. However, Tourcoing erased the deficit from the first game after the first half of the match in Aix-en-Provence (6:4). The hosts caught up with the rival before the final quarter (7:7). Still, Tourcoing, led by Drazen Kujacic and Miroslav Randjic, scored four unanswered goals in the fourth period and secured a spot in the LEN Euro Cup.
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