It is with a point that CVB 52 Haute-Marne came out of its duel against Tourcoing, Saturday September 28, in Roubaix. A defeat in the tie-break which highlighted the collective adjustments that still need to be worked on in the weeks to come.
Tourcoing – CVB 52 HM : 3-2 (25-21, 20-25, 25-21, 18-25, 15-11)
In Roubaix (Vélodrome). Around 1,200 spectators. Referees: MM. Isnard and Kara.
TOURCOING LM : 61 winning attacks (Kurkatsev, 21); 5 winning blocks (Luengas, Roehrig 2); 9 winning services (Martinez Franchi, 3); 19 unforced errors (Luengas, Kurkatsev, Martinez Franchi, 4).
Starting six: Tizi-Oualou (7), Aru (10), Luengas (12), Roehrig (cap., 9), Kurkatsev (24), Martinez Franchi (12). Libéro: Loubeyre. Entered into play: Lavigne (-), Hutcheson (-), Parkinson (1). Enter. : D. Rougeyron.
Chaumont VB 52 HM : 73 winning attacks (Suihkonen, 23); 8 winning blocks (Maase, 4); 3 winning services (Toledo, 2); 28 unforced errors (Pasteur, 6).
Sixes away: Worsley (cap., 3), Holdaway (11), Suihkonen (23), Toledo (18), Maase (14), Pasteur (6). Free : Durand. Innings in play: Henno (9), Lietzke (-), Diop (-). Enter. : S. Prandi.
It was an expected fight which prevailed at the Vélodrome de Roubaix, Saturday September 28, between two teams who have clearly displayed their big ambitions at the start of the season. Tourcoing finally got the better of Chaumont VB 52 Haute-Marne in five sets. But the meeting is a harbinger of great duels to come (to relive our live, click here).
It was in reception that the Cévebistes showed the first flaw in this game (9-7), after a start where the two teams were mainly looking to find the first sensations of this season, particularly on the offensive level.
A sort of “observation round” which continued afterwards, but which the Tourquennois turned to their advantage on a new “ace”, followed by several unforced errors from Jacob Pasteur on the attack, which increased the gap between the two teams (16-12, then 20-14).
The entry into play of Mathis Henno, in place of the American, corresponded to a slight awakening of the CVB in the game (21-18). But too late to hope to fill the gap previously dug: 25-21 in 30′.
At least this surge had the merit of putting CVB 52 in more optimal conditions. With greater defensive rigor and sharper serves, the Haut-Marnais finally felt comfortable in a well-stocked Vélodrome (0-3, then 5-9). And this newfound stubbornness was necessary to hope to shake up local certainties.
In a duel punctuated by several “rallies”, the Cévebistes needed this solidity to maintain their lead in the score (14-19). Led by a very efficient and very clever Niko Suihkonen, the Chaumontais equalized at one set everywhere: 20-25 in 29′.
CVB and Tourcoing: each has its own sets
It is clearly on their quality of service that the Northerners were counting on to disrupt the opponent’s calm at the start of the third round (8-6). A major sector in local domination, while the visiting defenses wanted to be less controlled, for a more approximate volleyball (17-12).
An imbalance which grew with a game which sometimes required a little more simplicity from the Haut-Marnais. Tourcoing continued to rely on its offensive power (21-16) and logically went towards winning the set: 25-21 in 29′.
If the Cévebist “block” ruled the net in the first exchanges of the fourth “round” (1-4), CVB 52 absolutely had to maintain this consistency to avoid repositioning their evening hosts in the right tempo (5- 5). The visiting counter line wanted to be solid to go around (11-15). Jacob Pasteur, back in the game, rose to the challenge to lead his team to the tie-break: 18-25 in 24 minutes.
The gap opened up by the locals (2-0) was quickly filled by a CVB 52 who always relied on their physical condition to block opposing initiatives (5-6). In this “arm wrestling”, the Northerners offered themselves more solutions and translated it on the scoreboard (9-6, then 12-8), facing less effective Cévebistes. With only one direct error committed in this last round, the locals won the bet: 15-11 in 15′.
In a week, the CVB will meet in Palestra to welcome Earvin Ngapeth’s Poitiers, for a new tempting test.
Laurent Génin
