Bolbec on the way to the feat against SM Caen

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After uncertainties over the choice of terrain, the time has come for the Union Sportive de Bolbec (Seine-Maritime) to write a memorable page in its history.

Ce Saturday November 30, at 1:30 p.m.USB will play the 8th round of the Coupe de France against Stade Malherbe in Caena Ligue 2 team, at the Ornano stadium after qualifying against Maladrerie OS, a resident of Regional 1, in the previous round, Sunday November 17, 2024at the Joseph-Détreville stadium in Caen.

When we saw the supporters at the end of the match singing with our players, it was enormous happiness. It’s the first time we saw so many people supporting the club, that’s all we talked about in town the next day

A great image for the local club, which makes the dream of any amateur club come true. “It’s exceptional for a club like ours to face professionals. An opportunity that perhaps only presents itself once in a lifetime,” reacts the manager.

A first since 1952

Until now, the first team had never gone beyond the 5th round, notably facing Quevilly and Évreux, two clubs playing in Nationale 2. You have to go back to 1952 to observe a similar performance at a high level.

“According to the elders, the team had reached the 32nd finals. For comparison, we are in 64th. But at the time, the competition brought together around 1,000 clubs, compared to nearly 8,000 today. For me, the difference is enormous,” underlines the current figurehead of the club.

At the time, it was Bolbec AC, the city’s historic club, which created the performance. We had to wait until 2012 to see the birth of the USB, the result of a merger between Fontaine Martel (R3), one of the neighborhood clubs, founded in 1988 by the father of the current president, and the BAC (R2).

Buoyed by their rise to Regional 1, the highest regional level, obtained in May after years stuck in Regional 2, the players are now riding a positive dynamic. “Obviously, we reap what we sow, it works well,” says Victor Seyer, 24, president from 2020 to 2022, now an employee of the club.

Work carried out by the coaches

It was he who put in place, at the head of the first team, the pair of coaches responsible to guide the Bolbécais in the right direction. Among them, a local man, also formerly with US Quevilly, Lockman Cakmak, and an external personality, Benoit Giskier, formerly of Athléti’Caux (which merged with Cap de Caux to form Olympiakos), with a view to attract new players.

The ambition is clear: to create a feat in the city of William the Conqueror. “We try not to change our habits too much because the players need to remain aware of what is being asked of them,” analyzes Lockman Cakmak. Now, we try to use all the levers, especially on the mental aspect, we send them little images every day of teams of the same level as us who created a surprise against similar teams to show them that it is is possible. »

Like the Rouen Football Club, which was able to shake up the predictions last year, the little thumb of the Normandy League leaves without the pressure weighing on the favorites.

“It’s enthusiasm, it’s rather positive,” says the coach. We know that we are not going to have the ball on Saturday, so the objective is to defend well, to play shots well. It’s a team that is stronger than us. Now, we will have to create the conditions for recovery to destabilize them. »

Will the Bolbécais create a surprise? “Our journey is wonderful whatever happens,” concludes Kevin Beaufils.

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