By dominating Lüneburg (3 sets to 0), Thursday January 16, in Palestra, Chaumont VB 52 Haute-Marne secured third place in Pool E of the Champions League. A place that he will have to defend, still at home, on the last day of this first phase, against Sofia, on January 29.
Chaumont VB 52 Haute-Marne finally won its first victory in the Champions League, Thursday January 16, by largely dominating the Germans from Lüneburg (3 sets to 0). A vital success for the future of the Cévebistes in the European Cup.
It was a one-sided start to the match which punished the visitors' lack of realism from the kick-off. On the services of Joseph Worsley, the Germans found no solution in the Cévebist defensive organization. Compact in their “block/defense” relationship, the locals are already widening a significant gap (6-0). A lead which stabilizes at first, when the Germans finally find the right length to serve, then which is dangerously reduced when in turn, the Chaumontais demonstrate offensive impotence (15-14). Lüneburg even joins CVB 52 in the score (17-17). We then need the efficiency of Mathis Henno to immediately get his team back on track (22-19). The young French international adds a welcome “ace” to give his team four set points. The second is converted by an attack from three meters from… Mathis Henno: 25-21 in 26′.
Once again, the Haut-Marnais are in the lead from the start of the second act. The awakening of Pierre Toledo in the attack is a significant additional weapon for the passer Joseph Worsley, who uses it wisely (8-3, then 11-4). This time, CVB 52 does not leave the same hopes to its opponent. Despite numerous “rallies” tending to prove the bitterness of the battle, the Chaumontais regularly emerge victorious and widen the gap even further (21-12). By committing only a minimum of unforced errors (six in two sets), the Haut-Marnais necessarily force the Germans to follow this pace, untenable for them (19 in the same time): 25-17 in 25'.
Impeccable management
By scoring the first point of the third round, Lüneburg took the advantage for the first time of the evening (0-1). A slight lead which does not last when Pierre Toledo concludes a counterattack (4-3) and Sebastian Closter performs an incredible defense for Niko Suihkonen (6-4). With this little ball at the edge of the net which falls into the opposing camp without the slightest reaction from the visitors, Joseph Worsley disgusts his former teammates (8-5, then 10-6). The management of this third act is perfect for the CVB 52, which holds the reception and can now play with the entirety of its offensive palette across the entire width of the net, while the counter line muzzles the opposing attackers ( 18-14). The Germans may have thrown all their forces into the battle (18-16), but the Haut-Marnais have no intention of reliving the nightmare of the first leg (24-19). Just enough time for a few scares (24-22), but the last serve in the Lüneburg net finally offers victory to the Cévebistes: 25-22 in 29'.
A success that the Haut-Marnais will therefore have impatiently awaited and which, on the evening of this fifth day of the group phase, allows it to “steal” third place in Sofia, qualifying for the continuation of the continental adventure, in the League champions or in the CEV cup. The last day against the Bulgarians, January 29, in Palestra, will already be a European “small final” for CVB 52.
Laurent Génin
The technical sheet
Chaumont beats Lüneburg 3 sets to 0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-22)
In Chaumont (Palestra). 1,357 spectators. Referees: Ms. Vagni (ITA) and Mr. Goncalves (POR).
CHAUMONT VB 52 HM : 42 winning attacks (Toledo 13); 7 winning blocks (Henno and Suihkonen 2); 2 winning services (Henno 2); 9 unforced errors (Henno 3).
Starting six: J. Worsley (cap., 2), Holdaway (6), Henno (14), Suihkonen (10), Toledo (14), Maase (5). Libéro : Closter. Entered: Lietzke (-), Lefaivre (-). Enter. : S. Prandi.
SVG LÜNEBURG: 44 winning attacks (Mohwinkel and X. Ketrzynski 13); 3 winning blocks (X. Ketrzynski 2); 4 winning services (Mohwinkel 2); 24 unforced errors (X. Ketrzynski 7).
Starting six: Torwie (8), Wright (1), Kunstmann (4), Mohwinkel (cap., 15), Espeland (7), X. Ketrzynski (16). Liberator: G. Worsley. Entrés en game: Larsen (-), Karlitzek (-). Entry : S. Hübner.
Mathis Henno: “We keep our destiny in our hands! »
Mathis Henno (CVB 52 receiver/attacker): “I think we had one of our best performances this season. It feels good to finally achieve this first victory in this competition. It comes at the right time, because it allows us to still believe in our European future. Of course, our future in the Champions League does not depend only on us, but we keep our destiny in our hands to continue at least in the CEV Cup. It is also a success which allows us to keep our morale up, just before welcoming Tourcoing in three days, for a new poster. We really want to continue on this path and bring down the co-leader of the championship from now on. »
Shane Holdaway (central to CVB 52): “We really had a big match, especially collectively. All the players lived up to this event. From defense to attack, we really performed well in all areas of play. Especially since Lüneburg is not a bad team. He's an opponent who gave us a hard time. Just remember the first leg. Except this time, what we had achieved over two sets, we did over three sets. The atmosphere was also very pleasant, with an audience who encouraged us a lot. When we play like this, we fear no one. Not even Tourcoing which we are preparing to receive on Sunday. We want to continue our momentum. »
Joseph Worsley (CVB 52 ferryman): “It obviously feels good to be back on the pitch and with friends. Physically, it was a little more difficult than usual after my illness. Faced with this Lüneburg team which offered many “rallies”, I had to run and defend a lot. But the main thing is acquired with victory. I don't know if we played a high-level match, but in any case, we maintained real consistency throughout the three sets. Now it's time for Tourcoing, but I would like this room to be much more crowded. The fans were great this Thursday against Lüneburg, so if Palestra could come out strong against Tourcoing, that would push us even more. »
Gage Worsley (libero from Lüneburg): “Chaumont really played fantastic. This proves that we were still a little lucky in the first leg, even if I know that we can also show good things. Despite this setback, our second place in the group is assured. We will therefore continue our journey in the Champions League and the last match against Jastrzebski's Poles will only be a bonus. It's a chance for us to play matches against teams of this level, like Jastrzebski or Chaumont.
Collected by LG
Results and rankings
Champions League
Pool D
Budejovice (TCH) – Perugia (ITA) 0-3 (25-27, 22-25, 16-25)
St Nazaire (FRA) – Halkbank Ankara (TUR) 2-3 (20-25, 25-18, 25-20, 23-25, 11-15)
Ranking: 1. Perugia 5 vict., 15 pts ; 2. Halkbank Ankara 3 vict., 10 pts; 3. Saint-Nazaire 2 vict., 7 pts ; 4. Budejovice 0 vict., 0 pt.
Pool E
Sofia (BUL) – Jastrzebski (POL) 2-3 (21-25, 25-23, 22-25, 28-26, 12-15)
CVB 52 – Lüneburg (ALL) 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-22)
Ranking: 1. Jastrzebski 5 vict., 14 pts; 2. Lüneburg 3 vict., 8 pts ; 3. CVB 52 1 vict., 5 pts 4. Sofia 1 vict., 3 pts.
My match sheet: Lukas Maase does not see Montpellier weakening
Barely after their European games, Thursday January 16 against Lüneburg, the players of Chaumont VB 52 Haute-Marne are already forced to dive back into the Marmara Spikeligue. And if the latter will wait until Sunday to welcome the Trouquennoise co-leader for one of the “shocks” of this weekend, the seventeenth day however opens this Friday, January 17.
vier, with the match between Poitiers and Nice. An interesting duel between the Poitevins in reconstruction and the ambitious Niçois, also marking the return of the Riviera coach, Brice Donat, to his former stronghold. For Lukas Maase, the central cevebist, the visiting victory is possible. “The Niçois have a good team with my friend and compatriot Simon Hirsch who is having a great season. Faced with locals who are looking for each other at the start of the year, I am betting on the Mediterraneans. »
The next day, the other current co-leader, Montpellier, welcomes Paris, for an equally anticipated confrontation. “Paris is coming off a great performance against Tourcoing, but I think the Montpellier team will be more difficult to move in front of their home crowd”admits the German from CVB 52. Similar words for the opposition between Tours and Toulouse, because “Tours gained confidence in us dominating and despite the talented Toulouse team, I see the locals winning in a close match. »
Between Cannes and Narbonne, the prize goes to the players of the Croisette for Lukas Maase, “simply for the Cannes arguments which I find more convincing”. Finally, Saint-Nazaire does not find favor in the eyes of Chaumontais, even at home against Sète. “It's surprising the two faces that the Nazairiens can present in the championship and the European Cup, but I really find them in a bad situation in the Marmara Spikeligue. »
L. G.
The matches
POITIERS – NICE 2
MONTPELLIER – PARIS 1
SAINT-NAZAIRE – SETE 2
TOURS – TOULOUSE 1
CANNES – NARBONNE 1
The classification of the “match sheets”
1. S. Closter, C. Diop, T. Durand, S. Prandi, R. Spasov, B. Soirfeck et J. Worsley 4/5 ; 8. G. Creuzot, L. Lefaivre, I. Perez, M. Stetka et N. Suihkonen 3/5 ; 14. B. Bobée, M. Henno and J. Cerha 2/5.
