Ligue A: the Spacer’s overthrow Nice and launch their season
The first opening defeat in Cambrai last weekend is forgotten: this Saturday at the start of the evening, Toulouse set the record straight on the occasion of the reception of Nice, beaten 3 sets to 1 at the Palais des sports .
Casually, there was already a little pressure on Toulouse’s shoulders late yesterday afternoon. After the defeat at Cambrai on the first day (1-3), missteps were clearly forbidden against Nice for the first time at the Palais des sports. “We absolutely needed a victory to get started,” rejoiced a relieved Patrick Duflos after these three “important” points (3-1). This tension probably explains the tense start to the match for Maximiliano Chirivino’s teammates who notably conceded five points in a row in the middle of the first set to finally drop the set a few points later (21-25).
Still led at the start of the second set (6-8, 8-10), the Toulousains nevertheless resurfaced little by little. “We didn’t start well but the spirit was there and we fought on all points” summarizes Cagliari (17pts) who celebrated his 24th birthday yesterday.
Less radiant than last weekend in the North (24pts), the sharp Brazilian this time left the light to the other two offensive options, Antoine Pothron (20 years old) and his compatriot Thierry Jaguszewski (22 years old).
Logically voted best player of the match with his 19 points, the French receiver-attacker was first decisive on the second set ball (25-23) before repeating on the last strike of the match superbly concluded with an attack full of temper. His Brazilian friend meanwhile enhanced his evening with 16 points including 3 aces.
Demanding, Duflos however regrets “a little feverishness” and we bet that he is referring to this fourth set which seemed promised for a long time to his men (17-11) before the latter stammered (23-23) before to conclude two points later.
“It will give us confidence”
“At times it was good in terms of level of play but I know we can do even better. In particular, we must succeed in erasing these too many unforced errors ”explains the Toulouse technician. “Three points is perfect, it will give us confidence in what we want to put in place, and so much the better if we still have room for improvement” finally punctuated the latter with a smile. The rest of the program, precisely, is a trip to Poitiers next Saturday. With already three points in the bag, so…
Datasheet
TOULOUSE 3 – NICE 1
21-25 (28′), 25-23 (30′), 27-25 (30′), 25-23 (29′).
Sports Palace, approx. 1,000 aspects.
Referees: MM. Brassart and Zgheib.
TOULOUSE: 57 winning attacks (Pothron 17), 23 faults (including 12 on serve), 8 blocks (Nack-Myniem 3), 5 aces (Jaguszewski 3).
Starting six: Chirivino (2), Cagliari (17), Pothron (19), Kartev (8), L. Nack-Myniem (8), Jaguszewski (16) then Heptinstall, Motta.
Libero: F. Santucci.
Coach : Patrick DUFLOS.
PLEASANT : 58 winning attacks (Cardin 16), 29 faults (including 16 serving), 10 blocks (Cuk 4), 3 aces.
Starting six: Gonzalez (4) Marshall (cap. 18), Cardin (16), Doardo (13), Cuk (7), Medina then Ah-Kong (2) Rebeyrol (3) W. Nack-Myniem (1).
Libero: L. Le Meur.
Coach : Raphael REDWITZ.