The number of this match is 80%, as the percentage of Nice’s victories against Nancy in five encounters this season. A month after their last meeting, the two teams face each other one final time to clinch the title of French champions of water polo.
Captain Sandra Desmartines warns from the start about this crucial Saturday match: “It’s an obsession, we dream about it every night.” The young woman (26 years old) is motivated and ready to finally claim the trophy that has eluded her for two years now. She is eager to dive into the water to show the Nancy players that she is “hungrier than they are.” The month-long break between the two matches has cooled her off slightly, “it’s too long,” she explains, joined by Marie-Pierre Arnold, Perrine Metay, and Angela Winstanley-Smith.
The four players want to prove that the break has not reset everything mentally and that they can achieve their fourth consecutive victory because, for them, “it’s over, Nancy will no longer be champion of France.” Marie-Pierre Arnold (26 years old) admits they will have “a stronger team than in the last three matches by recalling their Australian player.” She also explains that this match is “psychological, mental,” and that to win, they will have to “go at them from the first second.”
Confidence is high within the Nice ranks, and even though they consider a possible tiebreaker match, there is no pressure. Eric Lefert reminds us that the main opponent for his players “is not Nancy but themselves.” However, the Azurean team has all the means to take the title from the Lorraines, who have held it for ten years already. A group has formed this season, greatly aided by the European adventure. Now, they form a team, unlike their Saturday opponents who rely on a few individuals.
The two clubs know each other very well because the French team is composed of half from Nice and half from Nancy players. However, Marie-Pierre Arnold believes that “this final will be a fight because it’s never just another match; it’s going to be tense.”
This match in Nice, they have dreamt of it for three years to finally enjoy the support of the public on the return. Angela Winstanley-Smith, with her English accent but in very good French, is convinced that “having the support of the public influences the referees to call fouls.” They hope for strong support from the fans to become the only team from Nice to be champion of France.
Before leaving for a three-month vacation.
The four girls await you for the Saturday match which will take place at the Jean Bouin pool at 8:45 PM. They are now half an hour away from a fabulous title. Admission is free.
