The SNVBA, Saint-Nazaire volleyball Atlantique, is playing in the big leagues this Wednesday evening. A few months after its surprise title of Champion of France, the club discovered the Champions League, the most prestigious European competition. For their entry into the competition, the Nazairiens play in Türkiye, against Ankara, the former club of the French and world volleyball star, Earvin Ngapeth. And without complexes!
“We are going to play eye to eye with all the teams”
However, Saint-Nazaire has one of the smallest budgets in France and Europe. But there is no question of being impressed for Gilles Gosselin, the sports director of the SNVBA: “We have won our participation in the Champions League. We have built our credibility. We are going to play Ankara, Perugia, very high level teams who aim to win the competition. We are not in that ambition. However, we have the ambition to play eye to eye with all the teams and to do everything to experience exceptional moments, especially with our home crowd.”. That will be next week at the Salle de la Soucoupe, with the reception of the Italians of Perugia.
“A dream that comes true”
For the moment, therefore, it is the Turks of Anakara who stand in the way of the Nazairiens who are living a waking dream, like the Portuguese receiver-attacker, Lorenço Martins. He is arrived at the club four seasons ago, when it was in the second division nationale. “Arriving in the second division, moving up to the first, playing in the finals in the first season, winning the title the following season, a performance that no one believed in, it’s really a dream come true. I’m really happy to participate in this adventure which takes us today to the Champions League”.
It is at 4 p.m., this Wednesday afternoon, that the Nazaire volleyball players challenge Ankara.
Morocco
