Yesterday, Nice Volleyball presented its 2018-2019 roster to its partners. It was an opportunity for them to meet the latest recruits of the club.
The club president, Alain Griguer, was all smiles last night in the new premises of Harmonie Mutuelle, a partner of the club, on Boulevard Victor Hugo.
Indeed, the president is entering his 30th year at the helm of the Azurean club (the club will be celebrating its 42nd anniversary). A great man leading a great club in the Nice landscape.
“Nice Volley is more than 350 licensed members participating in competitions, representing 27 teams. Tonight, it’s the professionals but also the whole club that we are presenting,” explained Alain Griguer.
A large number of partners gathered last night to meet the new members of the team as well as the “old” ones. A team with a strong Francophone emphasis, with players who have (almost) all already experienced the French championship.
7 new arrivals on the Côte d’Azur…
The summer was eventful for coach Mladen Kasic. The Croatian is embarking on his 18th season on the NVB bench! He will be accompanied by physiotherapist Anthony Migniante and fitness coach Loïs Monaco. And for this season, the coach chose to part ways with 6 players.
Last season left its marks, as issues with team cohesion led to the departure of 6 players. All replaced.
Starting with the new captain, Bosnian Zeljko Coric (30 years old, 1.98m, arrived free). He will have the task of making fans forget Yoan Jaumel in the setter position. As for the middle blockers, one addition has been made to strengthen the squad, Rodney Ah-Kong (31 years old and 2.04m). After spending six years with Rennes, the Seychelles native returns to the club of his beginnings.
The receiver/attacker position was most affected during the offseason. 3 new arrivals. Croatian Tino Hanzic (17 years old, 1.95m from Zagreb), Russian Vadim Deev (27 years old, 1.98m) arriving from Cambrai in Ligue B, and Jan Galabov (21 years old, 1.92m) who is a Czech international.
Belgian international Jelle Ribbens (26 years old and 1.85m) has set his bags down in Nice as the libero. The last arrival is at the opposite position, with Dutch international Robin Overbeeke (29 years old and 1.98m) coming from another Ligue A club, Nantes.
… with only 4 players retained
Coach Mladen Kasic decided to retain only 4 players from the team that finished just short of the playoffs last year (9th place).
Beginning with his son, Fran Kasic (21 years old and 1.98m). At the club last year, he was behind former captain Yoan Jaumel in the setter position. Yousri Anegay (22 years old, 1.99m), on the other hand, is starting his third season with the club as a middle blocker. Another middle blocker retained is Montenegrin Gojko Cuk (30 years old, 2.09m), returning from shoulder surgery that sidelined him for more than half the season.
Finally, the Croatian coach maintains his trust in Adam Bartos (25 years old, 2.00m) in the receiver/attacker position. The Czech international will have to prove that Mladen Kasic was right to trust him.
Pierre Ferrand
