Nice Volleyball was once again defeated away from home, this Friday, against Narbonne (3-0) for the 14th round of the men’s championship. A severe score that clearly shows the gap between the two teams.
Narbonne left no chance against their opponent from the Côte d’Azur. Faced with the realism and aggressive play of the Narbonne team, Ratko Peris’s men from Nice could not find a solution and were defeated with a heavy score of 3 sets to 0. The match had a déjà vu feeling similar to the first leg earlier this month.
Nice resists but concedes
After two consecutive losses, the Côte d’Azur team was determined to get back to winning ways. Everyone knew that overcoming the challenge against a solid Narbonne team, third in the standings and still in the race for the ultimate title, would be tough. The Narbonne team quickly took the lead on the scoreboard, logically winning 25-18 against a Nice team that gave away some space but was not yet resigned.
In the second act, the Nice team showed a better side and managed to hold their own against the hosts (2-3; 8-7; 11-11). Nice responded with fast and effective plays but also conceded Narbonne’s blows (19-16; 22-20; 23-22). This was a more balanced second set but gradually tilted in favor of Narbonne. Despite Nice’s response, it was indeed Narbonne that won 25-22.
A déjà vu feeling
With two sets down, claiming victory seemed difficult for the visitors. Disturbed, the Nice team conceded even more blows from Narbonne. They still couldn’t find a solution to the locals’ play, who gradually pulled away in the score (6-3; 10-7; 13-8). With missed opportunities on the Côte d’Azur’s side, the ever-aggressive Narbonne team widened the gap (16-9; 20-11; 24-15).
It was too much for the Nice team, who ended up conceding heavily with a 3-0 score, just like the first leg at the Giamarchi hall. Nice Volleyball now faces its third consecutive loss, the sixth in a row away from home in as many matches played. It’s not a reassuring statistic ahead of hosting the team from Montpellier UC, runner-up to the leading Cannes team, in four days. But the Nice team will be eager for revenge to face a tougher opponent, hoping to return to winning ways.
