Volleyball: Narbonne launches into the French Cup

It's a first round of the French Cup, a round of 16, a small event therefore. The Centurions Narbonne travel to Martigues (League B) this Tuesday at 8 p.m. to try to launch a new great adventure in parallel with the SpikeLigue championship (League A). “You have to be wary of this kind of match,” warns Centurions general manager Michel Mandrou. “I think that in the French Cup, during League A-League B oppositions, League B comes out on top in 15 to 20% of cases. This is not the rule, more the exception, but it happens… So be careful.”

Especially since the Martégaux are not just anyone in this League B. If they are not necessarily candidates for promotion to the elite, they are still currently on the podium, on the third step with 14 points behind Ajaccio and Fréjus. And then, this season, Narbonne wants to show itself and achieve a good run in the Coupe de France. “This competition allows clubs to reach a final in a few matches. It's a great opportunity. For example, Poitiers, last season, went as far as the semi-final (eliminated by Montpellier) while in the championship these the same Poitevins did not even play in the final phase”holds Mandrou back.

Also, a victory would allow Narbonne to continue the good momentum started last Saturday at the Arena against Plessis-Robinson (3-1 success). Stringing together victories is important. Especially for those who are currently pulling the team up: like central Twan Wiltenburg (13 points against Le Plessis) and Ibrahim Touré (6). If captain Lisandro Zanotii suffers slightly from an adductor, he will travel to Martigues. The group heads towards Bouches du Rhône this Tuesday morning a little before 9 a.m.

The round of 16 will be played on January 7, 2025, the quarter-finals on February 4, the semi-finals on March 4 and the final on March 30 at 3 p.m.