A final and a death match. A crazy sporting Sunday is coming for this town in Tarn

When we think of rugby and at Tarnwe immediately think of Castres Olympic. Or to Mazamet, where Stade Toulousain international Thomas Ramos was born and trained. Much less Albi…And yet. Sunday May 26, 2024the city will be in final of the French championship.

But it is not the SCA, the Sporting Club Albigeois, the first club created in the department in 1895. Its hour of glory is no longer very recent. Winner of the French challenge in 1942 and 1943, the club experienced the elite, but also descents in the amateur championship. And since leaving the Top 14 in 2009, the SCA has no longer been able to climb to the highest level, remaining stuck in the National (the third division).

The Tigers are one step away from a coronation not obtained for half a century

On the other hand, on the rugby league side, the Albi Rugby League Tigers, five times French champions, are still at the top of the table. Or rather, came back to it. Since 2016, they have been sailing between seventh and fourth place in the first division. And this season, they even finished in second place.

Finalists of the Coupe de France and semi-finalists of the French championship last year, the Albigensians validated their ticket for the championship final at home, in their small stadium in Mazicou. It will be played Sunday May 26 in Narbonne (Aude) against the ogre Carcassonne (finalist in particular in 2019, 2021 and 2023 and winner in 2022).

A usual match for the Audois therefore. Less for the Albigensians, who played their last final of the French championship in… 1977. With a title up for grabs, their fifth.

Chartered buses for Narbonne

The club nevertheless believes in its chances and has chartered buses to move the madness which is taking over the stands from Mazicou to Narbonne. With in particular a return formula and aperitif place included at 20 euros.

And if they are not titled at the end of the meeting, which will start at 4 p.m., the party will undoubtedly remain beautiful and full of promise for next season as the club is in good momentum.

The girls of Albi play to maintain

This will not be the case for another Albigensian team which will play a crucial match on the same day, an hour earlier. Albi Marssac Tarn Football will have its destiny in its hands for the last day of the championship Sunday May 26 at 3 p.m. But In Nantes.

It’s women’s football and it’s their place in the second division that is at stake for the girls. After four seasons spent in the elite between 2014 and 2018, the footballers had returned to the lower level. Last year, they managed to hold on in a championship that had gone from 24 to 12 teams.

A missed opportunity at home against Le Mans

On May 19, they could have ensured their survival against Le Mans. But they let the victory slip away at home, at the Maurice-Rigaud stadium, and the draw conceded (1-1) almost forces them to victory on Sunday.

Nantes is favorite

Or even an exploit. For what ? Because they will travel to Nantes. Nantes who won 5-3 at Albi at the start of the season. Nantes which is second in the championship. Nantes which is playing for the rise in the first division (renamed Arkema Premier League next year) on this match. Nantes which has several international…

And Albi which is the second worst away team this season, which is the team that conceded the most goalswho has not won since the fourteenth day in March, who is currently ninth (out of twelve) two small points ahead of Metz and Le Mans…

Do not count on a defeat of the rivals

Le Mans which will certainly have a hard time facing Nice (fourth), but which will play its destiny at home. While Metz will host Montauban, already relegated. If Albi loses on Sunday, it will have to count on at least one defeat or a draw from its direct rivals to maintain its position. In the event of a draw, the equation will not be any easier, with Albi having a worse goal difference…

Otherwise, Kim Cazeau, Tarn’s golden ball last year, and his team will have to play in the third division next year.

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