Winners of the tournament in Lyon once again, the Paris women take another federal title after an unbeaten run. The Paris men also win and take the lead in men’s D1.
The Gerland sports ground hosted this final women’s federal round of the 2022-2023 season, and as at Clermont and Bordeaux before, Paris started as favourites.
After 2 big wins in pool A, from which Lyon emerged in 2nd place after their duel with the Drag’Anges, Paris met Clermont in the semi-final.
In the other half of the draw, Bordeaux came out on top in both their matches against Strasbourg and Clermont.
As in the first 2 tournaments, Paris and Bordeaux won their semi-finals to reach the final.
Meanwhile, the Strasbourg and Drag’Anges players met in the match for 5th place, which went in favour of the Niort/Angers side.
For the hosts, the end of the day took the form of a derby against their neighbours from Clermont. After a tight first half, the Auvergne side took control to claim a place on the podium.
Then came the final! In front of some distinguished guests, Paris got the better of Bordeaux and won (4-9) 21-12 (2-6).
Find all the day’s women’s results here
Paris captain Athenia Alvarez is presented with the trophy by Julie Nublat-Faure, Lyon’s deputy mayor for sport, and Fanny Dubot, mayor of the 7th arrondissement
On the neighbouring pitch, the men were locking horns in this 2nd federal round of 2023.
And the day began in the best possible way for the hosts, who, after a big win over Bordeaux B, caused a surprise by beating Paris by a single point!
In the other pool Bordeaux A came out top, ahead of Clermont, who edged out Niort, and Paris’s 2nd place sent them into a semi-final against Bordeaux in a remake of the last final. On the other side, Lyon and Clermont met in a derby.
The first semi-final therefore pitted the top two in the table against each other, and this time it was Paris who won a tight match, 3 points to 1.
Keen to show well at home, Lyon got the better of their neighbours Clermont and won, as in February, against the Auvergne side.
Next came the kick-off of the match for 5th place, won by Niort against their neighbours Bordeaux B. After finishing bottom in the first 2 tournaments, the Bordeaux side will have to put in a big performance in Niort in April if they are to stay up.
In the final, Lyon met Paris again. This time there was no upset: the Paris side in blue won by 7 points.
The day ended with the match for 3rd place, won by Bordeaux, who are keeping alive their hopes of overall victory (they will have to win in Niort to take the trophy).
Find all the day’s men’s results here
Lyon (led by the future MVP of the day, Darragh McKeefry) and Paris in full flow