A match that resembled the last cup game, but this time, NVB managed to win 3 sets to 2 against a very motivated Poitiers team.
A difficult first set for the Niçois, despite having scored the first point of the match, SPVB seemed much more alert than their hosts. Poitiers, very strong on blocks, immediately took the lead, leaving Nice a bit disheartened, behind them (6-10).
Fortunately for the home team, a few service errors allowed them to pick up a few precious points. But the opponents, very strong at the start of the match, found the gap and continued to widen it. Nice, a bit too sloppy, struggled to coordinate on the field and had difficulty recovering the opponents’ balls, which resulted in them trailing by 6 points (10-16).
NVB had a lot of trouble efficiently returning the ball to the other side of the net. Stuck at 13-19, the Niçois tried their best to catch up. A lot of difficulty in ball recovery and blocking, as well as several mistakes, cost them points needlessly. Poitiers took a huge lead and concluded this first set in just 20 minutes with a score of 16-25.
The second set for the home team was different and reminiscent of the cup match against the same team. Fortunately for them, the machine was up and running. After Ivan Kolev scored the first two points, the opponents quickly caught up and even managed to take the lead. This time, Nice reacted very quickly and didn’t let themselves fall asleep, with Milos Terzic scoring the equalizing point (4-4). As in many NVB matches, they found their gap in the second period, but SPVB remained steadfast, staying neck and neck. The timeout requested by the Niçois has just sounded, with Nice still trailing (6-8), but offering a much more structured game and managing to capitalize on more balls. Surprised by the game provided by the Niçois, the Poitevins still managed to stay ahead (9-11). As the team progressed, their home games started resembling each other more. SPVB did not crumble and managed to take a lead, closely followed by Nice, who slowly climbed the score (16-15). It was at this moment that the opponents lost their grip slightly and struggled to return the balls against Ivan Kolev’s powerful smashes. The Eagles finally managed to impose their game.
But perhaps too confident, the locals were taken by surprise twice with a superb ball from the opposing number 14 and poor service recoveries. The end of this set became increasingly heated, both teams wanting the win. However, a few bad serves from Poitiers allowed the Niçois to remain in the running (23-23). The cycle started repeating, one point for Nice then one point for Poitiers. Thanks to a very powerful opposing block, SPVB managed to take a lead and win this set 28-30.
For the Niçois, the match was truly starting now. A third set strongly resembling the end of the previous one, with two very balanced teams scoring in turn (6-5). The Eagles managed to soar and impose their game; the blocks were better, and the motivation was present. No question for them of losing this match. SPVB let the gap widen significantly, and the mistakes piled up. Almost impossible for them to catch up (22-14). Nice shifted into high gear and didn’t let the Poitevins breathe. Nice played their first set ball of the match and concluded this period 25-18.
Another set that seemed much like the previous one. A more attentive NVB, making far fewer errors, which allowed them to accumulate points without losing any (5-3). On Poitiers’ side, motivation gradually returned, showing the same performances as in the first set, which even allowed them to take a lead (5-8). They continued to widen the gap, despite the Niçois offering a very nice spectacle (7-11). But Kolev, very strong in this match, managed to score a few points on counters, allowing them to tighten the gap and bring it back to just a one-point difference (20-21). Both teams were very focused, but Nice did not fall; on the contrary, they came back to win this set with a beautiful comeback of 26-24.
Still riding the momentum from the previous set, this fifth set was immediately taken by storm by Nice, not allowing SPVB to gain any ground. The home team sought the victory they didn’t know last Tuesday in the cup. The points started flying by at an incredible pace (7-3). Very motivated, Miladen Kasic’s team relaxed and imposed their game while having fun. A magnificent end to the match, NVB offered a great spectacle, and the Niçois continued their streak (11-5). Just a few points from victory, Nice kept chaining more and more effective balls. Hermans Egleskalns scored the final point of this match which had started poorly. Nice Volley Ball finished with a score of 15-9.
