It's better like this for Alterna Stade Poitevin, winner of Paris

Alterna Stade Poitevin: 3
Paris : 1

An observation is necessary to begin with. Dusan Nikolic knows how to kick a ball better than a drum. Elected MVP of this match against Paris Volley, the sharp Poitevin had the honor of starting the clapping with the supporters. For the post-match rhythm we will come back, but as long as the Serb does not lose it during, as was the case this Saturday with his 24 points (20 winning attacks at 69% efficiency, 2 aces, 2 winning blocks) in a hard-fought duel with his counterpart Nik Mujanovic (25 points), the 2,441 spectators at Lawson-Body, including Laurent Chambertin, will be able to forgive him everything. And his partners will always be able to have fun alongside him.

“We made the difference in important moments”

“It’s fun to play with Dusansmiled Brett Walsh. He brings a lot of energy to the team. I am very proud of him. I gave him more balls than in Nice and it was deserved. He had a great match, with this ace in the third set. There was pressure but he stayed calm and did his job. » All the Poitevins did it in the crucial moments, notably in the ultra-tight third and fourth rounds, while the first had largely turned to the advantage of Alterna SPVB (25-16) before Paris Volley reacts in the second (22-25).

Starting with Dusan Nikolic anyway. First with this winning service to give back the advantage to his team (28-26), while the stadium collective, helped by a video challenge, had saved two set points. Then, in the fourth round, by defending a ball from Mujanovic then converting it into a point (20-19) which Simon Magnin made profitable by countering Peng (21-19). And in the money-time, the Alterna SPVB did not give in to avoid the tie-break (26-24).

“We made the difference in important momentsexplained Brett Walsh. It wasn't easy but we stayed focused. I felt that we were calm on the pitch. Even though we made mistakes and they played well, it didn't change our way of playing and our confidence. Unlike the match in Nice, where we failed to do so. » And where Dan Lewis and his protégés had conceded a heavy defeat (0-3).

The Poitevin team showed a completely different face than on the Côte d'Azur. In the content of course, with a much more stable reception, but also because of its composition. Because for the first time this season, Earvin Ngapeth did not start. Suffering from inflammation in an adductor, which he already felt last week in the Palmeira Hall, the double Olympic champion was, this time, preserved by his coach, contenting himself with short appearances on the field, at the end of sets , to serve and receive.

Tino Hanzic took the opportunity to start the match alongside Thibaut Thoral. The Croatian receiver-attacker had until then only played a few points against Narbonne and Sète, for a meager total of four small units. He more than quadrupled this against Paris Volley (18 points including 16 winning attacks at 59% efficiency), at the end of an interesting performance. “We are lucky to have a lot of very high level playersappreciated Brett Walsh. Earvin of course helped us on the way back and Tino had a very good match. There is also Thibaut (Thoral)Tim (Peter)Thomas (Hill)… This is a real strength of our team. It's a problem of the rich (smile). » Or at least a winner problem. And it's better that way…