Lille MHC won the French men’s national title and, with it, a spot at next season’s EHL KO16 as they won a dramatic shoot-out over CAM92.
Both won their semi-finals 2-1 on Saturday with Lille edging out Racing Club de France after Montrouge beat Saint Germain.
In the decider, the hosts went in front when Brieuc Delemazure whipped in a perfect ball into the circle for Arthur Golliot to redirect into the net for a fifth minute lead.
CAM92 were back level, though, at half-time when Louis Poupée dragged in his 27th goal of the season from a penalty corner for 1-1.
And that is how it remained through to the final whistle despite a crazy closing minute in which Matteo Desgouillons saw an effort brilliantly saved off the line by Antonin Igau.
Lille, however, produced the perfect shoot-out with Jules Bournac, Desgouillons and Viktor Lockwood all scoring while Arthur Theiffry made three saves in a row for a 3-0 success.
On the women’s side, Cambrai were 3-1 winners in the final as they defeated Lille with Charlotte Querleu the inspiration.
She scored twice before half-time, once with a brilliant reverse-stick shot and then with a penalty corner sweep for 2-0.
Agustina Arista’s penalty stroke extended the lead further before Juliette Hannebicque-Leman gave Lille some hope with their only goal in the third quarter.
