LA MINUTE SPORT Sports news for this Thursday, December 5

Nimes Olympic

“We have to win quickly.” Finally ! Nîmes Olympique (15th, 13 pts) returns to the official competition tomorrow at the Antonins stadium, at 7:30 p.m., against Le Mans (13th, 14 pts) for the 14th day of National. After a one-month truce and two friendly matches played against Fos-sur-Mer (N3, 2-1 defeat) and Saint-Priest (1-0), the championship is back. Faced with two teams ranked just ahead, the first non-relegation team wants to regain success and finish 2024 well while it remains on three consecutive defeats in all competitions including two in National. “The last two matches are stuck in my throat, I'm not happy. The defeat at Bourg puts us on the wrong side when everything was in place to settle in fifth place”confided this afternoon, at a press conference, Adil Hermach who refuses to want to play it safe. “I'm not playing for last places and I make it a point to tell my team that. We have to win matches quickly”he assured. The Nîmes must quickly find color so as not to spend the break in the red zone and fall into fear like last season. “We are very far from the level of a team for third place, but we are not left behind in terms of points (seven points behind fifth), I continue to have confidence in this team”continues the person concerned (see video above). Win and score goals, because Nîmes is now the last attack in this championship with only nine goals scored in 12 matches including five by Abdeldjelil. “I'm not fixated on it, but I would like to score more goals to take cover during the match”concludes Adil Hermach. On the group side, only Ronny Labonne is missing, because he is suspended. Dias, Cozzella and Amara are still in the infirmary.

USAM Nîmes Gard

Confirm in Tremblay. Last Saturday, USAM produced a very good performance by winning 36-29 at home against Toulouse, then fourth in the standings. After two successes in three days, David Degouy's men want to confirm this renewed form tomorrow at 8:30 p.m., on the Tremblay field (7th, 11 pts), for the 13th day of Starligue. In this very tight championship where Nîmes is still 15th and first relegated, a success would allow us to escape this red zone and come back to within one point of the evening's opponent. Only three points separate the teams ranked 6th to 15th. With three more matches to play in the league before the break (reception of Cesson and trip to Limoges), Nîmes wants to finish 2024 as best as possible after a chaotic start to the season. For this stay in Ile-de-France, all the players are suitable. No need to hide the presence of the Egyptian Mohab Abdelhak, who made his return against Toulouse (3/4). Match to follow live with commentary on Objectif Gard!

Boxing

Sofian Hadj-Brahim remains champion. The renowned K1 champion Sofian Hadj-Brahim defended his world title in Monza (Italy) on November 30 against the Italian Ovidio Mihali, in the -69 kg category. The Alésien won and kept his belt. He is the only one to have won his fight of the three French people: “It's a pride to win an Italian in Italy! Everyone knows how it goes when we fight away, we always leave one round late. The coach constantly told me: “we really have to do the difference to win, because we are not at home”he explains. Satisfied with his fight overall, he believes he had a drop in power in the third and fourth rounds, unlike his opponent who did not flinch over the five rounds. Declared the narrow winner in the score, now rest before resuming the competition in a while.

Athletics

For a good cause. The town of Rousson will host, on Saturday, December 21, the Solidarity Night Strides and the Nocturnal Duo, a charity event organized by Anduze Athletics and Nature Course, in collaboration with the municipality of Rousson. The event, for the benefit of the Restos du Cœur and the French Federation of Cardiology, offers two running races: the 6 km Solidarity Night solo, counting towards the Alès Agglomération challenge, and the 11 km Night Duo, to be run as a team, entered in the Trophée Gardois. Participants will be able to compete in a great atmosphere, with prizes awarded for the best, a draw and the presence of a food truck for meals. The start, given at 6 p.m. in front of the town hall, will be common for both races. Runners must be equipped with a head or belly lamp, and a surprise prize will await each participant. Registrations and information on chronogard.fr.