This Friday, the Eagles will host Asnières at Palmeira, which means any “fantasy” that might lead to dropping points and losing confidence must be avoided. Especially since Harnes might break their losing streak on their court by hosting St Brieuc, who are in a very precarious position for survival.
The Eagles are in first place, tied in points with Harnes, four games before the end of the regular season! A surprise? Indeed, but the sixth consecutive victory of Mladen Kasic’s players must certainly be commended.
The words from the Nice coach: “This 1st place in the standings, a surprise? Not really… even though after Harnes’s defeat, I thought they would be promoted directly to Ligue A (7 points ahead of the second) and our fate would be decided through the playoffs against Alès. But all the teams that reached first place went through a rough patch. This happened to us, to Avignon, and now to Harnes.”
Asnières is a very tenacious team. They have very good individual players, especially Miguel Garcia (No. 5, reception/attack), Fabien Vergoz (No. 17, central), and of course Mathias Patin (No. 3, setter). There is also Alfred Groussiaut Repere (No. 8, reception/attack) who scored 28 points in the last match.
Winning is imperative before the next week’s trip to Chaumont. It is then that it will be time to make a more precise point about the title.
Nice has regained control of their destiny, regardless of other results, and it simplifies everything…
