In a tightly contested match at the Arènes, Metz edged out Brest, the reigning French champions, with a narrow 33-31 victory in the Ligue Butagaz Énergie. The game had the intensity of a semifinal from last season, with Brest making a strong comeback after trailing by four goals at halftime but ultimately falling short in the final minutes. The result means the championship will go to the playoffs, as the format has changed this season. Metz started the match with strong control, with Novotna in goal and the team quickly taking a 3-0 lead. Brest eventually found their rhythm and scored their first goal after a four-minute scoring drought. However, they continued to struggle in front of goal while Metz maintained their composure. Mairot created an opportunity for Horacek to score a 7-meter shot, giving Metz a 5-3 lead in the 7th minute. Coatanea capitalized on a numerical advantage to bring her team within two points, but Brest couldn't prevent Metz from scoring further. Enola Borg brought Brest within one goal, but Jorgensen quickly responded with two points for Metz. Lott attempted a long shot, but Metz's quick engagement kept them ahead. Valentini remained active throughout the match. A change of goalkeeper in the Brest goal with the entry of André marked a turning point. By the 15th minute, Metz extended their lead to three goals (13-10). Brest struggled to find solutions in defense, and Novotna continued to make crucial saves while Metz's offense remained relentless. Horacek became a key player, and Metz managed to maintain their lead despite Brest's efforts. The gap widened to six goals (20-14) as Mairot again created a 7-meter shot opportunity. Brest managed to reduce the gap to three points but failed to catch up. Metz led at halftime (21-17). In the second half, Brest made a strong comeback, with Lott scoring the first goal of the period and André making crucial saves. Enola Borg played a pivotal role, helping Brest set up a 3-0 run. Metz eventually responded with a goal from Lylou Borg (22-20, 35'), but Brest continued to challenge. The match became increasingly chaotic, with Chloé Valentini being excluded for a foul call. Brest managed to bring the score within one goal (26-25, 43'), but Metz quickly equalized with a long shot from Horacek (26-26). The back-and-forth continued, with Brest briefly taking the lead (26-27, 43') before Metz tied the game again (27-27, 46'). As the match progressed, both teams struggled with turnovers and missed opportunities. Metz eventually took the lead (30-28, 53') and maintained it despite Brest's efforts. Clarisse Mairot scored two goals in a row, bringing her team within one point. Brest attempted a layered defense but failed to close the gap. With less than two minutes remaining, Brest faced a tough challenge, especially after Pintat was excluded. Metz managed to hold on, with Coatanea scoring to bring Brest within one goal. However, Brest's defensive struggles continued, and Borg secured the final 7-meter shot to seal the victory for Metz.