the Trois Cités Poitiers “could believe it” against Toulouse

She left the Saint-Nicolas synthetic turf in first grade. As a good captain of the Three Cities. Despite the defeat (1-2) and the elimination experienced against Toulouse on the occasion of the 1^is federal round of the Coupe de France, Juliette Belsoeur wore a broad smile when meeting and greeting some of the nearly four hundred spectators who attended this unbalanced duel on paper.

On the field, it was also at times but the defender could be proud of herself, like her partners who resisted rather well to the third in the Second League, especially in the second period when Toulouse had scored two goals, thanks to Pauline Pardon (3^e) and Sonia Roumiga Cayrol (39^e) during the first act. Even when dominated, the Poitevines never gave up.

Place in the championship

“We expected it, but in the second half with the change in playing system, we blocked our lines better”analyzed the captain. «  »

Allison Beaulieu's score reduction to 88^e minute of play briefly fueled the hope of a possible exploit with the prospect of snatching a penalty shootout. “As soon as we score a goal, we immediately think we can equalize behindconfided Juliette Belsoeur. Afterwards, there were only four minutes left and we scored too late unfortunately. But we were able to believe it. As we believed when we were down 2-0. It was a Cup match. » From the most beautiful Cup, even if the adventure is now over for Poitevines, who until then had a perfect start to the season with victories in eight official matches. Promising.

“It’s our first defeat, in the Coupe de France no lessrecalled the captain of the Three Cities. Now we have to refocus because a big championship match awaits us next Sunday at the Girondins de Bordeaux. We will have to be strong and move forward. » To achieve a sixth success in Regional 1 against a Gironde team relegated sportingly to D2 then administratively to the regional level last summer. “We don’t really know what to expect from themcontinued Juliette Belsoeur, talking about the fifth in the championship (3 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss). But whatever happens, you will have to give everything to beat them. »

Because ambitions remain high this season for the Three Cities. “Our objective is clear: finish first in the championship to access the D3 accession play-offs and hope to move up”affirmed the captain, satisfied with the start of her team's exercise. “It’s going very well! It's nice to play matches against D2. With two divisions apart, it's not nothing and it remains a good experience for the whole team. It also shows us that we still have work to do. »