n having the Stade Métropolitain at their disposal, at the end of a Homeric match, the Langonnais won the right to play in the semi-finals of the N2 championship. And that of dreaming of a second consecutive final after the historic one which allowed them to win the title of French F1 champions, against Valence-d’Agen, on June 18, in Auch! The obstacle to overcome to open the doors to such a meeting is significant since it is Rennes EC that the Sud-Girondins have faced twice this season in group matches.
Reunion for a beautiful
In Ille-et-Vilaine, the Bretons won down to the wire (25-19), at the cost of a thrilling chase and after giving themselves a few scares. In a melting Comberlin enclosure, the Langonnais, lively and very inspired offensively, took a brilliant revenge by dominating the Bretons (40-31). “One everywhere, ball in the center!” » laughs Guillaume Christophe, the Langon center, convinced that for this match, “there are no more favorites than challengers. It will be played out over 80 minutes during which everything will be possible in one direction or the other. We are focused on our game, our goal and, once again, ready to fight for each other! »
This ”third round” between Bretilliens and Girondins will therefore be THE best one between the two clubs. If the Langonnais have already perfectly fulfilled their contract in N2, beyond even the most optimistic expectations, the Rennais explicitly covet a direct return to the National where they only had a brief stay during the Previous exercice. Hence additional pressure that the Bretons will have to assume.
“It is a professional club which has a high-quality squad with all that that implies, particularly in terms of obligations. Whereas for us, this semi-final is mainly a bonus, pleasure and excitement,” explains Guillaume Christophe. And the Stadium Manager said: “We are competitors and will do everything, without negative pressure or complexes, to win our place in the final. It will be very hard, but we believe in it especially since the end of last season, we have been on a very positive dynamic.”
Negotiations
After various negotiations with Niort, Cognac and Potiers at the start of the week, it was finally the municipal stadium of Saint-Jean-d’Angély which was chosen to host this meeting open to all conclusions. Mischief of chance, this designation will allow the stadium manager Christophe Hamacek, involved for four seasons under the Charente colors, as well as four Langon players – Geffré, Vunisa, Zubizarreta and Gau, passed by the Union Cognac Saint-Jean-d’ Angély – to find a lawn that they know inside out.
Perhaps more decisive, this geographical choice should encourage the movement of strong and enthusiastic cohorts of southern Gironde supporters who, like no other, know how to remarkably transcend their favorites!
The game
Stade Langonnais – Rennes EC, this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at the municipal stadium of Saint-Jean-d’Angély.
