Chaumont VB 52 Haute-Marne was unable to do anything against the Poles of Jatrzebski, Wednesday November 20, during the second day of the Champions League. In a Palestra blissful with admiration for one of the best teams in the world, the Cévebistes fought for a vain resistance.
Sport is fantastic in that it can sometimes offer exceptional emotions: the feat, the unexpected and improbable result of a match evening… Chaumont VB 52 Haute-Marne has already offered its supporters incredible moments of jubilation , and will certainly offer him others.
But most often, however, sporting logic remains the law in this environment. Jastrzebski Wegiel demonstrated it with class, Wednesday November 20, in a Palestra which dreamed of a “high-end” performance for its Cévebistes, but which ultimately had to resolve to logically appreciate the supremacy of a collective which has habit of evolving on another planet than that of CVB 52, sadly defeated in Luneburg, on the first day.
Polish volleyball is a weekly high mass in a country that vibrates for this discipline. “All the halls are packed, all the matches are televised: it’s another world! », recalled French international Timothée Carle at the end of the match.
Far from a sport which is still seeking its feet in the French media landscape, despite its last two Olympic titles gleaned in 2021 and 2024. “But the Chaumont hall has nothing to envy of most of its Polish counterparts”, added, however, kindly but sincerely, the French “receiver/attacker”, delighted to return to France to play in such an installation. He who had only known Chaumont VB 52 for its picturesque Jean-Masson room.
Despite everything, it is obvious: French clubs can no longer compete with their Polish or Italian counterparts. As proven by the last two Champions League meetings in Saint-Nazaire and Chaumont, respectively against the Italians of Perugia and Jastrzebski, with a clear score (3 sets to 0) despite the home advantage.
The impression of ease in the face of Chaumont's impotence
In Haute-Marne, the finalists of the last Champions League did not try to save their efforts. By fielding their “typical team”, their intentions were clear: three additional points in the standings.
And for this, they recited their score wonderfully: a game of mastery, mixed with a constant physical presence, which is wonderfully guided by the captain of the French team, Benjamin Toniutti with the pass. Heavy, controlled, placed strikes and above all a foolproof regularity which gives this constant feeling of ease.
Opposite, the Chaumontais never gave up, with their weapons of the moment: tenacity, power, perseverance and audacity. Maximum risk-taking to try to destabilize a “giant” which has almost never wavered. The fault is his experience, but also the waste inherent in the very committed game of their evening hosts.
Two teams with different strengths which force one to play at 150% without respite against another who, at 80%, can easily manage the opponent's highlights. This is the lot of this Champions League for which Chaumont VB 52 fought to obtain qualification. At least Silvano Prandi's men never gave up on Wednesday evening against their prestigious opponents, as if to assure their supporters that they would play the adventure to the fullest until the sixth group match. The attitude, for sure, is the right one!
Laurent Génin
The game and the players of Chaumont VB 52
Pierre Toledo on his way
Joseph Worsley (1 attack on 1, 0 cont., 0 sets, 2 dir. fouls): The American smuggler had decided to open the ball alone, with a “first hand” as soon as the kick-off had been given. This will remain his only point of the match, but not his only highlight. Despite Polish domination, the conductor did not forget any of his musicians, even if not all of them played the same score.
Shane Holdaway (5 attacks out of 8, 2 con., 0 sets, 1 direct foul): The central CVB 52 had two good first sets on the attack, finding himself perfectly with his passer and sometimes at “great V” speed. Less effective on the third, he compensated with good work on the counterattack.
Mathis Henno (4 att. sur 13, 0 cont., 0 ser., 5 fautes dir.) : The young French international missed his match. Not very effective in most areas of play, he failed to raise his head over the minutes and sets.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Pierre Toledo (16 attacks out of 24, 0 cont., 1 ser., 6 dir. fouls): After his superb performance in Narbonne, the Haut-Marne striker did it again, this time against some of the best players in the world. Never impressed, he took risks, played with lucidity and regularly broke through the impressive “block” of the Poles. A really good “sharp” match for the Chaumontais who is certainly gaining confidence.
Josef Polak (2 attacks out of 4, 1 con., 0 sets, 2 dir. fouls): The Czech left the team at Plessis after a ghostly start to the match, he at least, this time, showed that he could also serve the purposes of his team. Even if his final performance was still too “thin” and marked by too much discretion in the face of such an opponent.
Jacob Pasteur (4 attacks out of 12, 0 cont., 0 sets, 4 dir. fouls): The young American definitely struggles to remain consistent over time. Author of a very honorable first set, he lost his footing over the minutes to become completely ineffective at the start of the third set.
Sebastian Closter (libero): The Argentinian was rather solid in reception, but he also demonstrated certain limits in defense, taken by the experience and talent of the opposing attackers.
Niko Suihkonen (5 att. sur 13) : The Finn brought a certain variation to the Chaumont game when he entered the field in the second set, with a little more mischief and experience. Even if his success then diminished in the following round, the fault was mainly due to a Polish collective who better understood the tricks of the Chaumontais “receiver/attacker”.
Nahan Lietzke: The American made a few occasional appearances at the net.
L. G.
Lukas Maase diminished
It was bad news that greeted the Palestra public as the players entered the Champions League match between Chaumont VB 52 Haute-Marne and Jastrzebski, Wednesday November 20. Indeed, despite his presence on the match sheet, central team player Lukas Maase went straight to sit on the bench when he arrived in the room, not participating at all in the warm-up.
The cause was back pain felt since the Narbonne match and which has not gone away since. After medical examinations on Thursday, the German international could also skip the next match against Paris on Saturday, so as not to make things worse.
Champions League
Group E
Wednesday November 20
CVB 52 – Jastrzebski (POL) 0-3 (23-25, 18-25, 20-25)
Sofia (BUL) – Lüneburg (ALL) 1-3 (28-26, 15-25, 24-26, 21-25)
Ranking
1. Jastrzebski 2 v. 6 pts
2. Lüneburg 2 BC 5 pts
3. CVB 52 0 v. 1 pt
4. Sofia 0 v. 0 pt.
Match sheet: Tourcoing keeps control for Martin Stetka
The European deadlines finished for this week, the French clubs will return to “domestic” battles with the 10th day of Marmara Spikeligue which is announced this Friday, November 22. And in this return to the championship, the statistician of Chaumont VB 52 Haute-Marne, Martin Stetka, imagines Poitiers getting the best of Cannes, despite the long trip.
“I think that the Poitevins have a more solid team and can, in addition, rely on Earvin Ngapeth in difficult moments. They should be able to capitalize a few more points. »
The next day, two “shocks” are expected: one at the bottom of the table and the other in the middle of the ranking. The duel between Narbonne and Le Plessis-Robinson thus promises some “hot” moments between the two poorly ranked players of the moment.
“Compared to what we were able to observe from the two teams during our last two outings (successive victories of the Chaumont VB 52 at Plessis, then at Narbonne), I think that the Audois will be able to find the arguments, especially at home with the support of their supporters,” announces the cevébist technician.
As for the confrontation between Toulouse and Sète, important in trying to reduce the gap with the “Top 6”, it also gives the advantage to the locals. “The people of Toulouse are really capable of producing a beautiful game.” For Tours, on the other hand, the qualification in 8e of the CEV Cup final, last Wednesday, did not find favor in the eyes of Martin Stetka. “In Nice, I don’t yet see Tours succeeding in getting out of their current bad patch. » Unlike Tourcoing, which is at the top of the ranking, and which, “with its excellent passer, can emerge victorious in Saint-Nazaire”.
Martin Stetka's predictions
Poitiers bat Cannes
Toulouse beats Sète
Nice bat Tours
Narbonne beats Le Plessis-Robinson
Tourcoing beats Saint-Nazaire
Classification of match sheets
1. T. Durand and B. Soirfeck 4/5 ; 3. L. Lefaivre, I. Perez, N. Suihkonen et P. Toledo 3/5 ; 6. B. Bobée, M. Henno et J. Cerha 2/5.
L. G.
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