Despite a strong resistance and the support of more than 250 fans, Nice Cavigal TT could do nothing last night against PPC Villeneuve-sur-Lot, which, for the record, won for the first time at Raoul-Dufy hall (2-4).
Nevertheless, the Niçois have no reason to be ashamed of their first defeat of the season.
A quick glance at the match sheet was enough to foresee the scale of the challenge to be overcome. Although credited with a superb and flattering total of 7 points earned during the first three matchdays, against six for their opponents that evening, the Azuréens were not the favorites.
Taking full advantage of the reinforcement of Ukrainian Kou Lei, the Aquitanians even rank among the serious contenders for promotion to Pro A.
They provided undeniable proof of this by winning last night at Raoul-Dufy hall (2-4), a gymnasium where they had never known success in the shared history of the two clubs, which have long maintained friendly relations.
Thanks to the added spirit brought by more than 250 spectators, Nice Cavigal TT began the encounter with a bang by winning the first two matches. With great poise and composure, the club’s Bosnian recruit, Admir Duranspahic, outclassed the youth and enthusiasm of Stéphane Ouaiche in four sets. The Mexican Marcos Madrid delivered a tactical and equally spectacular match to overcome Jérémy Petiot in five sets.
Freed from all pressure and especially brimming with confidence due to his spotless start to the season (six victories in six matches played), Anthony Géminiani, the most experienced man of the Azuréenne house, tried to sow doubt in Kou Lei’s mind. He succeeded in the first two sets, but the Ukrainian managed to raise his game each time during the critical stages. The third set, although concluded at 11-7, was much less contested.
After the break, the fourth match pitted Marcos Madrid against Stéphane Ouaiche. Leading one set to zero and 10-9 in the second, the Mexican seemed to have gotten the measure of his training partner… But he was caught off guard in a thrilling end of the set. The wind turned for Cavigal. Marcos Madrid was swept away in the next two sets. Admir Duranspahic was then faced with a Kou Lei, imperial in speed, variation, and ball control. Unfortunately, he could not find the slightest solution.
The final decisive match fortunately lived up to all expectations. Creative, instinctive, and attentive, Anthony Géminiani first perfectly controlled Stéphane Ouaiche’s attacks, but the young Aquitanian fought tooth and nail to equalize at one set each and then take the lead. The crowd cheered loudly. So loudly that their favorite, though off to a rough start, leveled the score at two sets each. The fifth set saw the Niçois gain a slight advantage, but Stéphane Ouaiche, now knocking on the door of the French team, demonstrated his sense of play and exceptional solidity at mid-distance to come back and turn the tide definitively.
Nice Cavigal TT will await tonight’s matches to learn the evolution of their standings. On the fifth matchday, they will challenge Saint-Denis in Île-de-France on November 13.
The next match at Raoul-Dufy hall is scheduled for November 27, with the reception of Upper Normans from ALCL Grand-Quevilly.
