Like last season, the Berruyers face an Elite team in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France. Eliminated with honors the previous time against Caen (2-3), the Alchimists believe a feat is possible, this Saturday evening (8 p.m.), against Grenoble. “We have everything to gain,” recalls Berruyer coach Alix Girardin. This long period without a match (since November 16, Editor’s note) has been complicated to manage, but now all the players are looking forward to it! »
In the French top 5
In the previous round, the Berruyers had taken out another Isère team, Grand-Lemps (1-6), which plays in N2. This time, they will have to significantly raise their level of play to hope to compete with the current fifth in the Elite championship.
“We will have to be serious, defend aggressively, but without excess, otherwise we will be punished in power play,” summarizes the Alchimistes coach. Even though it will undoubtedly be very complicated, we can expect a big match at home, with a lot of supporters in the stands. Now we have found the right balance between our lines. We will need everyone to succeed in keeping up with this pace and this intensity. It is also a meeting in which our American recruits will want to surpass themselves. »
Whatever the result, the Alchimists will be keen to prepare well for an important championship match the following weekend, with the reception at Aubagne. But, for now, it’s time for the Cup and its magic.
The group
Bourges (Gustave-Pailloux gymnasium).
Alchimistes de Bourges (N1) – Yéti’s de Grenoble (Elite), Saturday evening (8 p.m.).
Bourges.Kocak (g.), Requiem (g.) ; Fayault, Drurie, Vaullerin, Yvon, Mooney, Mörschler, Sharke, Ferragu, Dolan, Chiero, Bitaud, Bouchut. Ent. : Garden.
The Predators of Vierzon do not have to be afraid of the wolf
Unhappy finalists last season, the Prédateurs de Vierzon return to the Coupe de France, Saturday evening (8 p.m.). They will have to enforce the hierarchy against the Mighty Wolves of Bordeaux who play in Nationale 3.
It’s already the penultimate match of the year for the Prédateurs de Vierzon this evening, in Pons (Charente-Maritime). Beaten in Valence – the promoted in difficulty in the Elite League – the Vierzonnais enter the competition in the Coupe de France and will be largely favorites against Bordeaux Rive Droite, a team which plays in Nationale 3, three levels below the Prédateurs.
“The priority remains the championship”
Finalist last year (failure against Rethel), the Vierzonnais are obviously not going to waste the event and are approaching this match “like a meeting against an Elite team,” announces Aurélien Tricaud. We would like to return to Carpentier, adds the coach. But there is still a long way to go to open the doors to the semi-finals and, sincerely, we are not fixated on it either. The priority remains the championship. We will also have a crucial match next Saturday in Entrepose against Anglet. »
Saturday evening, the Vierzonnais will have to avoid the trap set by the leader of group 4 of N3. The Mighty Wolves remain undefeated this season, with six league successes and, led in particular by ex-Vierzon player Bryan Le Gallic, will play their card to the fullest and without complexes. “This opponent will cause us problems and has more the status of an N2 team. You will have to be careful,” warns Aurélien Tricaud. Vierzon will have to avoid any superiority complex to avoid falling into the trap set by these ambitious Girondin wolves.
The group
PONS (Daria Guérin-Talbot gymnasium).
Mighty Wolves Bordeaux Rive Droite (N3) – Predateurs de Vierzon (Elite), Saturday evening (8 p.m.).
Vierzon.Matousek (g.) ; Holding, Baldwin, Chasseriaud, Xavier, Fekete, Tricaud, Vyoral (cap.), Jancso, Ledon. Staff: Lepart, Chardon et Lafond.
