Despite their defeat in Tours (3-2) last weekend, Nice Volleyball is causing surprises. With one of the smallest budgets in the league, the team holds the fifth spot in Pro A and is off to an impressive start to the season.
“We owe a lot to the excellent work of our coach. Mladen Kasic has done great recruitment, discovered young talents, and taken chances on certain players,” says Alain Griguer, a president who does not hesitate to praise his coach for an exceptional start to the season. Truly pleased by the performances of his team, Alain Griguer does not hide his joy and especially his surprise at finding themselves high up in the standings at this stage of the season: “During the preseason, we did not think things would mesh so well. It’s good to be here today.”
For the past ten years, this is by far the best start of the season for Nice Volleyball. In total contradiction to last year (6 losses in the first 6 matches), NVB is now competing with the top teams in Pro A. It is undoubtedly the pleasant surprise of this 2005/2006 season.
Mladen Kasic is also proud of the work his team has done: “They are playing very well; I am happy with my players. We have quality gameplay and a high level that progresses from match to match. It’s a wonderful season and I hope it continues.” If there were a secret recipe, the coach would likely point to team cohesion: “The players enjoy playing together. We have changed little from last season. They have simply gotten used to my system of work.”
A Solid Team
A small budget team, yet they are no less competent on the court. With 8 wins and 4 losses, NVB occupies the top places alongside Sète, Paris, and Tourcoing, and just behind the unreachable leader from Tourcoing. Fifth, and only 3 points behind Poitiers (second in the standings), the team is a disruptor among the pack of title contenders. A fumble in the opener against Toulouse and then three “good losses” on the road where the players gave their all, that’s the negative side. The rest is simply impressive. Having defeated all the other lower-ranked teams, but also Cannes, the French champion, and Poitiers, NVB has a solid foundation to look forward and maintain serious hopes for the future.
“Objective: Play-offs”
But even as the team gains strength, the president remains careful: “We’re going to stay wise and keep our feet on the ground. Our goals will not be revised upward with these victories. We always aim for the play-offs. Once the objective is achieved, we might create some surprises…”
The supporters understand this well. Thrilled by the play and the spectacle provided by the team, their enthusiasm only increases. This excitement of the supporters for their team is felt in the stands of the Palmeira hall, which never empties and is sold out for the big matches.
As for the budget, however, little has changed, and investors are still awaited. “We are hopeful to see a partnership bear fruit soon,” confides Alain Griguer.
A partnership and advertising contracts that would undoubtedly bring great things for next season and allow the club to develop and perhaps become a powerhouse in France.
