At the Coubertin Stadium
From a wonderful scenario of an equalizer with nine hundredths to go, to the cruelty of a sudden death penalty touch: in a few moments, Ysaora Thibus experienced two extremes during her round of 16 of the international Mazars Challenge of Paris (CIP) against Francesca Palumbo. But before this finale, which unfolded almost unbelievably, we first had to witness a first act without rhythm or attack. So much so that we had to wait more than a minute to witness the first touch, to the credit of the Guadeloupean. But after three minutes of fighting, it was the Transalpine which led by a small length (1-2).
The very tactical confrontation continued at this same false rhythm throughout the second act, ending with a perfect tie between the two foilists (4-4). But from the start of the last period, the Italian suddenly accelerated and Ysaora Thibus took some time to adapt. Which meant he was three touches behind (4-7). With her back to the wall, the 2022 world champion decided to go on the offensive. Even if it means losing, you might as well put some panache into it. Nevertheless, 25 seconds from the end, unfazed, Francesca Palumbo maintained a two-touch lead (6-8). Several times, the Guadeloupean came back a length but nothing helped. So much so that four seconds from the end of this round of 16, when the Transalpine led 10-8, the cause seemed heard…
But buoyed by the cheers from the stands of the Stade Coubertin, Ysaora Thibus let go of the horses and gave hope to the Parisian public by returning to 9-10 at 1”31 from the gong. Before throwing herself at the Italian like a starving woman to equalize with nine hundredths of a second remaining (10-10). Alas, during sudden death, on an attack, she thought she had hit, which was not the case, and she then turned her back on her opponent. Already warned, the Frenchwoman received a second yellow card, synonymous with a red card and therefore a penalty (10-11). It would be difficult to come to a crueler end after such a comeback in less than two seconds flat. There will therefore be no French representatives in the quarter-finals of the IPC.
