From our special correspondent in Schönenwerd
Schönenwerd : 2
Tours : 3
The Tours VB was not far from the accident this Wednesday, November 13. But, like earlier in the evening, Saint-Nazaire in the Champions League and Tourcoing in the Challenge Cup, he ended up escaping in the tie-break and for two small points! All to the applause of around ten Int'nables supporters who had made the trip.
A first set announcing what’s to come
Perfectly entering his match, being serious and making an impact like Marshman who took the upper hand twice over the sharp leaper Mahela (1-4), the TVB let himself be caught up by the enthusiasm of Swiss youth. By its quality, too!
The Swiss collective knew how to be patient and combative. He pushed the TVB into long rallies until breaking the break at 15-15. And almost immediately take control, in an action where young Ulrich played Coric in defense (17-16). Behind, the TVB will not manage to extinguish the Swiss energy and it is therefore at 25-21 that they give up this first round to the euphoria of the good-natured public of the BetonCoupe Arena.
TVB forced to raise its sliders in the second set…
The second set was going to be so much simpler on the scoreboard, with an advantage quickly increased to six units (6-12) on two consecutive blocks from Aracaju and Gergye. But the Touraines had to really put their efforts into the game, to be sharp and fair so as not to let Schönenwerd catch fire again. Also to not let ourselves be distracted by a double decision from the linesman which made Gergye come off his hinges. The score then increased to 11-14, but the Tourangeaux knew how to get back on track perfectly to pocket this set 18-25.
…before getting punished in the third
Alas, they were not going to continue. Fatal error! Especially since Mahela, discreet the previous set, found herself fully and Ulrich showed himself more and more at ease on the attack. So, after a little mano a mano, the score shifted to an attack from Ulrich while Marshman had not managed to place his just before (7-5).
Although the TVB managed to equalize twice (9-9, 12-12), it never regained control of this set. And the same causes caused the same effects as during the first round, with a Schönenwerd team which carried out brilliantly to win 25-22…
A fourth double-sided set
Trailing 2-1, TVB then had the worst difficulty putting the ball on the ground at the start of the fourth inning. The Swiss didn't ask for that much, as they also made quite a few mistakes. But from 7-7, it was they who cracked. The back-to-back blocks from Aracaju and Egleskalns slammed literally and figuratively and Marshman's series of serves offered a welcome +4. Above all, this boosted the Tourangeaux who, after having foiled quite a bit, completely regained their game and went on to win 15-25.
Un tie-break ric-rac
It remained to continue in the tie-break. Something that Tours did perfectly until 7-11. Until this attack from Mahela and his return to service which made the TVB more than shaky. Lengweiler's block on Aracaju, synonymous with an equalizer, looked like a bad omen. But the Tourangeaux escaped, ric-rac at 13-15.
Just what is needed to return to France with the benefits of a second victory in four days, and approach the return match in control. Because there will be a qualification to be had, next Wednesday, in Grenon against this great Schönenwerd team.
