Christian Estrosi welcomed the elite of collective sports from the French Riviera on Monday evening in the gardens of Villa Masséna. It was an opportunity for the deputy mayor of Nice to reflect on a sports year rich in success.
The reception in the gardens of Villa Masséna had the feel of the Victories of Sport. Christian Estrosi had invited the elite of Nice collective sports to this most solemn ceremony.
2015-2016: outstanding season & results for clubs and athletes @VilledeNice #Elite #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/uZKX9gQXaM
— Christian Estrosi (@cestrosi) May 16, 2016
A great year for women’s sports
The first to be called to the stage alongside the deputy mayor of Nice were the basketball players of Cavigal, because ladies first. They had an excellent season, notably winning the Challenge Round. They will compete in the Eurocup next year.
Next up was the women’s football team of OGC Nice. They were not present as they are currently playing in an international tournament in Menton. But they too have had a superb season and are on the verge of reaching Division 2.
Then it was the turn of the handball players of OGC Nice, led by Cléopâtre Darleux. After falling short in the championship semi-final against the formidable Metz, Sébastien Gardillou’s team are still in the running for a third place and a ticket to compete in a European cup next season.
And the men…
“The men had to step up to the level of the women this year,” declared Christian Estrosi. And indeed, they did not disappoint throughout the year.
Especially in volleyball. The NVB of Mladen Kasic will play in Ligue A again next season, five years after their relegation.
The Nice Eagles in ice hockey were also part of the picture. They managed to clinch the title in Division 1 and are still awaiting a possible promotion to the Magnus League.
Water polo also took the spotlight. The players from Olympic Nice Natation successfully won the League Cup against their Marseille rivals.
But where does football fit in all this? To close the ceremony, Christian Estrosi saved the “best” for last.
To conclude the ceremony, he took the opportunity to praise the excellent season of the Gym. With a fourth place in the standings, the Aiglons are currently in the preliminary round of the Europa League. However, if Paris-Saint-Germain were to win the Coupe de France against Marseille on Saturday, Hatem Ben Arfa’s teammates would qualify directly for the group stages.
Overall, the 2015/2016 season has been a remarkable one for sports in the French Riviera. We hope that the next one will be just as successful.
