“First put content”, insists Stéphane Sapinart, coach of Spacer’s Toulouse
The Spacer’s coach does not hide the urgency of the situation before the reception of Poitiers this evening where victory will be imperative.
Stéphane, for many observers victory seems essential tonight to continue to believe in the play-offs. Is this also your case?
It’s a very important game, obviously. We really need to take points, first to keep a chance of playing at the top of the table (the play-offs, editor’s note) but also in anticipation of playing at the bottom (the play-downs, from 9th to 14th with points awarded according to the final ranking of the regular phase, Ed). It is important in any case to be the best ranked possible for the second phase.
How should you approach this kind of high-pressure encounter?
We are not on a super dynamic so what I am going to ask the guys is to play the sets one after the other and not to think about the three-point victory (3-0 or 3-1, editor’s note ). We must first seek to put content. Poitiers is another more difficult team to watch in a very complicated game.
Despite four defeats in the last five games, your team has taken six points in this round of time. Do you feel this slightly better?
Yes, clearly. Everything is not perfect yet, we thwart a little from time to time, but the team is hanging on. We fight. We make three tie-breaks outside: it means things about the character. The team is not winning enough yet, of course, but I hope we are on the right track.
How do you view the adaptation of your new passer, the young Australian Nicholas Butler, who arrived a month ago?
He has a real physical impact on the block and an interesting service. His game in the center becomes very interesting. There are still some adjustments to the wings but it’s progressing well.
What can you tell us about the absence of Joachim Panou?
He has an Achilles tendon problem. He still has to pass exams but it could be a bit long. It’s annoying for him and it’s a real problem for us because we don’t have other players with such physical impact.