The Villepinte Diables Rouge (0–2) face an uphill battle as they host rivals La Courneuve Flash (1–1) in a high-stakes French D1 Elite Seine-Saint-Denis derby, with both teams looking to build momentum early in the season.
Diables Rouge seek offensive spark
Villepinte has struggled out of the gate, scoring just 25 total points through two games—a concerning trend against a traditionally stout Flash defense. After finishing fourth in the 2025 regular season, the Diables Rouge aimed to compete with the league’s elite but now face early must-win pressure at home.
Watch live. La Courneuve Flash @ Villepinte Diables Rouge, Feb. 28, 19:00 CET (7 pm, 1 pm ET)
Flash aim to build on strong start
La Courneuve enters with momentum after a dominant 32–6 win over Rouen in Week 1, though they were shut out 14–0 by Thonon in their most recent outing. The multiple-time French champions boast one of the conference’s historically best defenses and will look to bounce back against Villepinte’s struggling offense. Last season, the Flash dominated this matchup 34–6 on the road.
With Villepinte desperate for their first win and La Courneuve aiming to stay above .500, this matchup carries major psychological and standings implications early in the year. Expect a physical, emotional battle as both clubs fight to establish their identity in the 2026 campaign.