“The atmosphere in this room!” Dream evening for Earvin Ngapeth's last match with Alterna Stade Poitevin

During a derby against Tours Volley-Ball, Earvin Ngapeth played his last match under the colors of Alterna Stade Poitevin Volley-Ball. A match won in the fifth set, in a crazy atmosphere and for which the Olympic champion was elected MVP. Story of a dream evening.

“What will remain is this last match and the atmosphere in this room!” After the match, Earvin Ngapeth is all smiles at the press conference. At the end of a particularly competitive derby against Tours Volley-Ball, the double Olympic champion and double French world champion left with the MVP of the match and the victory for his team. An ideal outing after three months spent at the Alterna Stade Poitevin Volley-Ball, before flying to Istanbul and starting a new adventure with the Fenerbahçe club.

For several weeks now, all the tickets had been sold out. In Poitiers, the date of December 27, 2024 was marked by everyone. The meeting between Alterna Stade Poitevin Volley-Ball and neighboring Touraine was also the last for star Earvin Ngapeth. After three months and fifteen matches spent in Poitiers, where he grew up and where his mother still lives, the Paris 2024 gold medalist left to play in Türkiye.

Before the match, in a packed Arena Futuroscope, the name of Earvin Ngapeth is on everyone's lips. “We came for Earvin Ngapeth's last match, it was a gift for my son. We're a little disappointed that he's leaving obviously, but I hope it's to come back better“, Angélique, a regular, is already getting impatient. Others, less assiduous, took advantage of the event to see the star of the France team play before his departure. “I came for Earvin Ngapeth's last match. I like volleyball, I watch the French team, but not particularly the Stade Poitevin, but this was the opportunity“, explains Sébastien.

Since the arrival of the multiple world champion, the effect has been felt. All attendance records for matches at Alterna Stade Poitevin have been broken, both at home and away. “He brought people who didn’t know volleyball at all to the game.observes Jean-Pierre, the Stade Poitevin scarf on his shoulders. This brings a lot to the club and the French championship because all the rooms were full.“For Claudette, a loyal supporter, it’s heartbreaking to see Earvin Ngapeth leave:”He is very nice. He doesn't act proud. Since he arrived, we are very happy and there are a lot more people.“

At the Futuroscope Arena, the 5,200 spectators seemed to grasp the scope of the event. The atmosphere is excited. Poitiers wins the first set. The Tours Volley-Ball equalizes at a set everywhere. Alterna Stade Poitevin goes back in front, but Tours comes back again. The last set is unbreathable, the room pushes its team and its champion. Earvin Ngapeth serves in the tie-break under the “Earvin, Earvin !” from the public. Alterna Stade Poitevin finally won the last set 14 to 10 and won in a very intense derby. With 22 points, Earvin Ngapeth was elected MVP of the match.

It was great, I don't think we could have finished better!

Nicolas, supporter of Alterna Stade Poitevin Volley-Ball

“Ngapeth was monstrous! At the beginning, he had a little difficulty, but afterwards, he won the match almost single-handedly. He won the important points, he won both set points“, reacted a supporter just after the match. At a press conference, Dan Lewis, the Stade Poitevin coach, was also enthusiastic: “What Earvin has done is extraordinary, he's a true leader and that's something you don't see all the time.“

A legacy behind him

Although brief, the Canadian coach hopes that the passage of Earvin Ngapeth will be useful to his players. “He set an example before leaving. This is an opportunity for us to seize this example“, wishes Dan Lewis. A desire shared by the player himself. “I think that the fact that I arrived, that there was a lot of media coverage, it took up too much space for these young players who need to assert themselves. Now I think it will be a positive point for the team“, wants to believe Earvin Ngapeth.

On the side of the supporters, this feeling is also present. “Earvin brings a lot to the team. He is very keen on sharing. He's definitely going to be missed, but there's a great groupconsiders Jean-Pierre. Despite his departure, we remain confident!“

Alterna Stade Poitevin is now in fourth place in the standings and is, more than ever, in the race for the play-offs. “Ngapeth” jersey on his shoulders, Nicolas, in the excitement of a crazy match, only has it for his idol: “We expect him in two years, he will come back, it’s obligatory!“

But the evening didn't stop there for the star. For the occasion, he was also able to reconcile his other passion, rap. His friend, the rapper S.Pri Noir, came to give a concert at the end of the match. On some sounds, Earvin Ngapeth accompanied him on the microphone, notably the featuring that they produced together “Friendzone”. Enough to extend the party at the Futuroscope Arena. Earvin Ngapeth leaves through the front door. The ideal end for the champion who already feels a little nostalgia for this visit to Poitiers : “What I'm going to miss is not being able to leave training and eat at mom's. [Il rigole.] That was good!“