CVB 52 Haute-Marne logically lost on Wednesday, November 20, in its Palestra, against the Polish “ogre” Jastrzebski. After a contested first set, the visitors then constantly maintained control of the game to win in three sets.
There was no miracle on Wednesday, November 20, at Palestra, during the second day of the Champions League. The Chaumont VB 52 Haute-Marne, deprived of Lukas Maase (back pain) never really seemed able to seriously shake up the Poles of Jastrzebski, favorites for the title. A defeat in three sets which should not, however, undermine the morale of the Haut-Marnais.
From the start of the match, the Poles did not want to leave the slightest fault to their hosts. With their “typical team”, they immediately put a lot of pressure on the local shoulders, combining their power on serve with their physicality at the net. The gap widens quickly and logically (4-8), without undermining Cévebist morale. On the other side of the net, the Haut-Marnais know what to expect and are playing their luck bravely. The success of Pierre Toledo in attack and the creativity of Joseph Worsley in passing allow them to stay on the heels of the group leaders (9-11). With a constant quality of service, the CVB 52 even allows itself to be brought closer to the notice board (19-20). But the hardest part remains to be done: get ahead in the score. A final challenge that the Chaumontais fail to meet in this first set, despite real opportunities to conclude counter-attacks: 23-25 in 25'.
If the Haut-Marnais continue their good momentum at the start of the second act, Jastrzebski does not slow down the tempo either (7-7). The heavy, powerful and physical volleyball of the Poles still weighs heavily on the opposing game (7-9, then 8-12). Like the few “rallies” that punctuated this round, the defensive efforts of Cévebists were real in an attempt to thwart the visitors' plans, but rarely crowned with success.
Cevebist impotence
This time, Jastrzebski does not leave the slightest hope to CVB 52 (11-17). Especially since Niko Suihkonen, who came into play for Mathis Henno who was not very prolific since the kick-off (12-19), can no longer change the situation: 18-25 in 22′.
This is the difference between a team with complete control and an opponent who is forced to take a lot of risks to try to stay at the required level. Limits that the Cévebists are capable of surpassing with success but not with consistency. As in previous sets, CVB 52 constantly chases the score (4-6, then 6-10). Even the craziest defensive gestures on the home side are hardly rewarded, as the exchange becomes “clinical” again as soon as the ball finds the Polish half of the field (9-14). Silvano Prandi's men, despite a certain chronic helplessness in the face of a higher level of training, will have the merit of never lowering their heads. Why will Jastrzebski's players suddenly get angry with the referee, with a red card for their libero (19-21)? A slight incident which will not change much at the end of the meeting. The Poles will simply have assumed their status as favorites with authority: 20-25 in 25′.
A second defeat in two matches which is not yet crippling, but the Cévebists now know what they have to do to hope to continue the adventure in the Champions League: win the two matches against Sofia, the next of which is come on December 4 in Bulgaria, and the return against Lüneburg: not an easy mission but not impossible.
Laurent Génin
