France: Fontenay Meteores stun Villepinte Diables Rouges in D1 Elite Opener

The newly promoted Fontenay Meteores pulled off a dramatic 20–12 comeback victory over the Villepinte Diables Rouges in an all-Parisian D1 Elite season opener, announcing their top-flight arrival with a resilient second-half performance that overturned an early 12-point deficit.

Diables Rouges start strong
The experienced Villepinte squad came out sharp, with quarterback Isaiah Green connecting with receiver Cedrick Michaud for an early touchdown. Running back Hugo Schwartz quickly added another score, giving the Diables Rouges a commanding 12–0 lead and appearing to put the newcomers on their heels early.

Meteores mount stunning comeback
Fontenay responded with a touchdown just before halftime to shift momentum and reduce the lead to 12-7. The Meteores took their first lead early in the second half with a rushing score, then sealed the victory with a clutch pick-six that extended their advantage to eight points—a margin that held despite Villepinte’s late efforts.

This statement win establishes Fontenay as a competitive force in D1 Elite, demonstrating the poise and toughness that earned them promotion from D2. For Villepinte, the loss raises questions about closing out games, though their early dominance suggests potential if they can maintain consistency.