The progress of Beninese handball rewarded in Morocco! This is the meaning of the qualification won by Flowers HBC, at the expense of Étoile du Congo.
25 years after Pélican HBC which followed hit after hit (1998 and 2002) two semi-finals, Flowers HBC enters the final four of Africa’s elite handball clubs.
The champions of Benin dictated their law to their opponent of the day, big name in handball of the years 70 and 80 and even at the beginning of the years 90 at the end of a very lively game.
After a very committed start to the match, where the Congolese responded to the Beninese from tick to tat, Michael Solomon, Flowers’ goalkeeper will thwart opposing attacks and in doing so boost his partners’ shooting skills. Irresistible in front, they make Giovanni see fire, the Angolan goalkeeper of Étoile, well known to the Beninese public. From 8 – 8, Flowers widens the gap and goes to the break with the score of 14 – 08.
Back on the floor, Flowers resumes its march forward, and continues to prance on the scoreboard. Then came a time out requested by the Congolese bench. The Beninese are slowing down and suffering the blow. From 10, the Star returns to 4 goal difference.
Aimé SEBIO and his staff in turn request a time out. Flowers takes matters into his own hands, scoring goal after goal while his goalkeeper, elected MVP of the match, put on the show. The public is won over, the Flowers women’s team heats up the stands, club leaders and federal leaders are ecstatic. The flowers turn pink, the semi-finals are offered to the Beninese champions whose decision to participate in the competition, is like a fairy tale. Score final 29 – 20.
Sesame in your pocket, Flowers will face Montada, winner of the one hundred percent Moroccan quarter-final.
Private correspondence from Laâyoune