SpikeLigue – 17th day. Not at best in the championship, with four defeats in the last five days, plus an elimination in the French Cup in Saint-Nazaire (3-2) on January 7, the Narbonnais hoped to redress the bar on the floor of AS Cannes , last night. But even though they saved a point, and despite 29 points from Casey Schouten, they suffered another defeat, after 2 hours 40 minutes of a real fight.
The first set is initially rather balanced, before the visitors enter the match. A first break is achieved after an authoritarian block from Dijoud (11-15). The central player allows his team to stay ahead thanks to a good defense, followed by a great diagonal from Schouten (14-19). Zanotti, with a clever ball above the block, concludes the round (20-25).
Narbonne fails to contain the Azuréens
The second set is not of the same ilk. Less energetic defensively, the Narbonnais were unable to break away from their evening hosts (8-8, 10-10, 12-12, 15-15). If Cannes breaks at the dawn of money-time (18-15), Narbonne returns (21-21). In a round of great intensity, which will also be interrupted for several minutes during a video challenge, it is the Azuréens who will finally equalize on the scoreboard, after 42 minutes of combat, on a counter from Biglino ( 27-25).
Unfortunately, the Audois were unable to contain the momentum of the Cannes players in the third set. If the two teams fight for blows until the middle of the round (11-10), it is the Maralpins who are quicker (25-23). But Patte and his teammates pulled themselves together, multiplied the excellent defenses, like the two blocks in a row from Wiltenburg (3-4, 3-5), and the effective serves, like those from Schouten (10-14) and Herr (13-21) who undermine the local reception. Narbonne logically equalizes (17-25).
-Everything won't be simple
In a breathtaking tie-break, the Narbonnais finally lost narrowly (3-2). With this defeat, Narbonne Volley sinks a little further. The upcoming receptions in Tours and then Paris could be an opportunity to raise our heads. Even if everything is not simple. It will certainly take some rethinking in order to get our heads back on track.
THE TECHNICAL SHEET
CANNES 3 – 2 NARBONNE
In Cannes, at the Palais des Victoires.
AS Cannes beats Narbonne 3-2 (20-25 and 26', 27-25 and 42', 25-23 and 31', 17-25 and 25', 15-13 and 20')
Referees: Mr. Brassart and Mrs. Hayaux du Tilly
Cannes : 54 winning attacks, 2 aces, 14 blocks, 34 opposing fouls.
Starting six: Demar 13 points, Jacobsen 3, Biglino 12, Pierotti 13, Haikal 13, Ekman 5, Demiryurek (Lib.). Then Cardona 3, Weir 6, Kemp (Lib.), Helfer, Beriot 2, Cohen, Paumelle.
Narbonne: 74 winning attacks, 5 aces, 8 blocks, 24 opposing fouls.
Starting six: Herr 2 points, Wiltenburg 11, Patte 19, Schouten 29, Dijoud 6, Zanotti 9, Ruiz (Lib.). Then Colomb, Rosado, Njok, Toure 3, Migge 2, Schalk 6, Almarcha (Lib.).
