Monaco eliminates Stade Français to “sudden death” and will be in the final of the French rugby sevens championship this Saturday evening
The joy and cries of the Monegasque camp on the sidelines at the final whistle are enough to sum up Monaco’s victory by a straight line in the semi-final of the French rugby sevens championship, this Saturday in Paris.
It took an extension to “sudden death” (first team to score wins) for Monaco to push Stade Français out of its way (19-14).
Led until 2 minutes from the end of the match, the Monegasques equalized at the end of the match by the Argentinian Fernando Luna (14-14).
Two suffocating minutes before a decisive counter
Before starting the extension, the captain of MR7’S, Johan Demai-Hamecher, harangued his troops: “The links we have created, we see them now!”.
The draw then required Monaco to put the ball back into play. And therefore to defend without reprieve, since the slightest point conceded would have been synonymous with defeat.
After two minutes of combat, the British newcomer Tom Mitchell (2016 Olympic vice-champion), improved a recovery ball by presenting Gaspard Lalli in the left lane, who himself returned inside for Lancelot Luteau. Try ! (19-14)
A collective victory, mentally, to which the depth of the Monegasque bench is not insignificant.
“We won the mental war twice”
“We scared each other and we came up with impossible defenses but I remember the state of mind that we created in a week”commented the Monegasque captain, Johan Demai-Hamecher, at the microphone of Canal +. “We won the mental war twice, I hope it will bring us luck.”
A final which will oppose the two big favorites of the tournament, Monaco and Pau.
Pau who have just beaten Racing Métro on the gong as well (21-19). What a tournament!