Throughout the day at the Plaine du Var Complex, the Selecioun and the County of Nice will be in the spotlight. The schedule includes a youth tournament, activities, a raffle, and finally, a friendly match against the Monaco selection to conclude a day in red and black.
World champion of “small nations” last June, the Selecioun is organizing a big event around the County of Nice, starting at 9 a.m., at the Plaine du Var Sports Complex. On this Whit Monday, the younger generation will take center stage with the traditional U10 (under 10s) tournament.
Around the tournament, there will be activities for both children and adults, booths, various activities (inflatable structures, cultural stands, open-air Niçoise classes), demonstrations (full contact by Jérôme Ardissone, Niçoise folk dances, hip hop, …), and the presence of Niçoise athletes not to mention the famous raffle and the snack bar.
At the end of the day, around 4 p.m., the Selecioun, led by Frédéric Gioria, Jean-Philippe Mattio, and Eric Cubilier, will play its very first home match against a Monaco corporate league selection—something of a derby, even if it won’t resemble the OGC Nice-AS Monaco Ligue 1 matches. The Principality’s team will feature former professionals like Olivier Echouafni, who played in Nice from 2003 to 2010, and Sylvain Legwinski, a former player of Monaco (1992-1999) and Bordeaux (1999-2002).
The match will be kicked off by Philippe Bianchi, Jules Bianchi’s father, who is still hospitalized in Nice eight months after his serious accident at Suzuka in Japan. One year after his feat at the Monaco GP where he finished 9th, this derby will be dedicated to him.
Selecioun’s patron alongside Tottenham’s goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, Alexy Bosetti will be present after the Aiglons’ season-ending victory in Toulouse 3-2.
It will be a festive day and a final opportunity to cheer on the team that will compete in the Euro ConIFA from June 17th to 21st in Debrecen, Hungary. After its world title last summer and an exceptional welcome at the airport, the County of Nice will understandably set off as favorites.
Photo credit and more information at www.laselecioun.com
