Determined to take revenge after losing the French champion title to the Nice team, the Lorraines will want to assert themselves on the Côte d’Azur. The French champions are determined to confirm their superiority by remaining undefeated at home. This is the first battle between the two favorites for the French championship title.
While this first duel will not be decisive, it will surely have a significant psychological impact on the second half of the season.
The reaction of coach Vincent De Nardi: “They will undoubtedly come to Nice with the desire to take their revenge. They will want the victory. For us, it is important to win. At home, it would be good to take a solid advantage (4 goals) to secure a good option for the return match. For many people, we are the favorites. We must stay humble and keep our feet on the ground. Fatigue? Nancy also played in the European Cup. We will be recovering all week.”
The Nice team: Merlet, Flickinger, Alcloque, Demartines, Van Den Heuvel, Alberto, Pirat, Sudre, Lefet, Winstaney (uncertain), Metay, Painchaud, Arnold.
SPECIAL EUROPEAN CUP
The draw for the second round of the women’s European Cup has taken place. The Nice team will travel to Spain to Sadabell on Thursday 20th, Friday 21st, and Saturday 22nd of December.
Vincent De Nardi’s team will face Vouliagmeni GS (GRE), Elco Dunaujvaros (HUN), and thus CN Sadabell (Barcelona / Spanish Champion). An open group where anything can happen. Only the top two teams in the group will qualify.
Reaction from coach Vincent De Nardi: “We have three good-level teams in the group. I am convinced that qualification is attainable, even though we expect very tough matches. We need to believe in our chances. We proved in the first round that we are capable of competing with good European teams.”
Summary of the first round of the European Cup:
ONN – Liverpool: 10-6 (1-0, 2-2, 3-1, 4-3)
ONN – Linkopings: 20-8 (5-0, 3-2, 6-2, 6-4)
ONN – CE Mediterrani (ESP): 6-7 (3-2, 2-2, 0-1, 1-2)
ONN – Budapest: 6-11 (0-1, 4-4, 2-2, 0-4)
