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Marseille continued its dominance in Round 11 of the French Elite Championnat, played on March 15, 2025, by overpowering second-place Pays d’Aix 17–9. In the highly anticipated top-of-the-table showdown, the defending champions broke open a close contest with a relentless second-half surge. The Provençal derby lived up to its billing early – Marseille jumped ahead 2–0 before Pays d’Aix briefly grabbed a 3–2 lead – but by the end of the first quarter Marseille led 7–4. Pays d’Aix battled back to within 9–8 at halftime, only for Marseille’s depth and physical intensity to shine through afterward. In the final two quarters, Marseille outscored Aix 8–1 to seal a commanding 17–9 victory, moving the league leaders ever closer to clinching first place in the regular season. This win preserves Marseille’s unbeaten streak and underscores their status as the team to beat.
Strasbourg Rolls Past Taverny 17–10
Third-ranked Team Strasbourg delivered a convincing 17–10 win on the road against Taverny SN 95, solidifying their push for a top-two spot. The Alsatian side started strong, jumping out to a 4–1 lead in the opening quarter, and held an 8–5 advantage by halftime. A dominant third quarter (outscoring Taverny 6–2) proved decisive as Strasbourg surged to a 14–7 margin, allowing them to comfortably manage the final period. This professional performance keeps Strasbourg in third place and pulls them within four points of Pays d’Aix in the standings, tightening the race for second.
Reims Stuns Montpellier 17–8
In one of the round’s surprises, Stade de Reims reenergized its season with a 17–8 dismantling of Montpellier WP. Reims entered the match amid off-field turmoil – a week marked by financial difficulties threatening the club’s future – but they responded in the pool with inspired play. After a tentative start (leading just 2–1 early on), Reims seized control with a five-goal barrage in a five-minute span to race out to a 10–3 lead. Croatian import Karlo Kreković was instrumental, netting four goals to fuel the Champenois attack. By the final buzzer, Reims held a nine-goal margin of victory, a result that vaults them above Taverny in the table and restores confidence. For Montpellier, the heavy defeat knocks them out of the top four – they slip from fourth to fifth place – as they suddenly find their playoff hopes in jeopardy.
Sète Edges Nice in 14–13 Shootout Thriller
Sète Natation had to fight to secure a 14–13 victory over last-place Olympic Nice in a dramatic match decided by penalties. Nice, the league’s lanterne rouge (bottom team), refused to be a pushover and matched Sète goal-for-goal through a 5–5 first half. Sète pulled ahead 8–5 in the third quarter, but Nice mounted a gutsy comeback, tying the game 10–10 with just six seconds remaining in regulation. The deadlock led to a tense penalty shootout, where Sète ultimately prevailed 4–3, finally subduing Nice’s challenge. The hard-fought win is invaluable for Sète – it allows them to leapfrog into fourth place, reclaiming a spot in the top four (playoff positions) at Montpellier’s expense. Despite the loss, Nice’s spirited performance earned them respect as they pushed their higher-ranked opponent to the brink.
Standings Update & Key Takeaways
These Round 11 results have reshaped the middle of the table while reinforcing Marseille’s supremacy at the top. Marseille remains firmly in first place – and appears on track to finish the regular season as the top seed. Pays d’Aix stays in second but has lost ground; their cushion over Strasbourg has shrunk to just four points after this week’s setback. Team Strasbourg strengthens its hold on third and is closing in on Aix, keeping the battle for the #2 spot very much alive.
