It was the sporting poster of the weekend in Eure-et-Loir. Sunday, December 1, the Bisons of Neuilly-sur-Marne hosted the Wildcats of Épinal, at “home”, at the Dreux ice rink, for the 12th day of Division 1 (2nd French division).
Deprived of their enclosure, due to a quality of ice unsuitable for high-level sport, the Bisons relocated their match, against the leader of the regular season, to Drouais lands, a meeting initially scheduled for Garges-lès-Gonesse.
Only 4 days to orchestrate everything
“The organization was done in four days,” confesses Olivier Bartolo, the president of the Monarques, the Drou hockey team founded this summer.
A week ago, I was not aware that I was going to kick off a professional match at the Dreux ice rink. The president of Neuilly, Ibrahim Souda, asked me if it was feasible to organize a D1 match. I decided to accept the challenge.
Olivier Bartolo, an amateur hockey player for several years, admits to having taken great pleasure in organizing this event, even if it has not been easy over the last 72 hours.
To share his passion, he is ready to do anything. “The ice rink has just been launched and we are hosting two men's D1 matches in one week, it's a waking dream! I can’t wait to see what happens next,” he enthuses.
And the public gave it back. The ice rink was full thanks in particular to the online invitations provided by the City of Dreux.
1,100 people sat in the stands, including Epinal supporters, who came to spend their weekend between Chartres and Dreux. The Vosges residents were pleasantly surprised to see a room “full to the brim”.
“It’s quite a complex. The majority of clubs present in D1 would be proud to play in an enclosure of this size, confess the Crazy Boys (one of the three groups of Spinal supporters). Well, on the other hand, something important for us was missing… We couldn't find any beers. »
The next mission will be to perpetuate this beginning of enthusiasm around hockey, a little-known sport in the department.
“We have this crazy desire to spread our hockey virus to all Eurelians. It is a fun, spectacular and very engaging game. This sport is a total blast! »
The young Monarchs already conquered
The president of the Monarques, Olivier Bartolo, announced it. The success of organizing such a sporting event is measured “by the reaction of the children”. “I saw as soon as the doors opened that the youngest people were very excited at the idea of seeing a “star match”. »
“It was great! I love this sport so much! » marvels little Liam, as he leaves the players' locker room, in the company of his friends Adam and Timothé, to get an autograph. All three began their romance with the puck this year.
“The children chose this sport themselves! They tested several before choosing hockey,” explains the group of parents stuck behind the gang of little fans. From football to basketball to tatami mats, apparently nothing offers the same sensations as those felt on the ice.
“We're going to have to start following this sport. It was our first match and the show was great. The children were amazed,”
For those who missed Epinal's victory against Neuilly (4-3), a second opportunity will present itself on Saturday (at 5:40 p.m.). The Bisons will return to the Drou ice rink to challenge Étoile Noire de Strasbourg, 4th in the regular season. Liam, Adam and Timothé have already taken their tickets. And this time, they won't forget the pens…
