One week away from the start of the championship, Volley Nice has revealed its cards and…its ambitions.
Unexpected and magnificent semi-finalist last season upon its return to LAM, Nice will once again aim for survival this year before looking further ahead.
Mladen Kasic (20 years with the club) confirmed this during the team presentation to authorities and partners on a hotel terrace: “Our objective is to secure safety from relegation as soon as possible. Our hope is to go as far as possible in the season.”
French Ligue BM champion for the 2015-2016 season, promoted last year, and magnificent semi-finalist in the championship, the Aiglons shattered all predictions last season.
However, the Croatian coach of Nice advises turning the page, closing the trunk. “Now, we absolutely have to forget last season and start afresh,” warns Mladen Kasic. With a squad half restructured, it should be easier.
Nice lost some gems during the off-season, notably its incredible Latvian opposite hitter Hermans Egleskalns, a revelation of the season, who has now moved to Tours. To replace him, the Nice coach chose the powerful Ukrainian, Vasyl Tupchii.
The club president, Griguier (who claims 29 years in the role!), followed interesting leads in recruitment. The third central player of the Slovenian national team, Danijel Koncilja, is a gamble, but the young man apparently has great potential.
Czech Adam Bartos, already seen in Tours, knows the Ligue AM, as do Bulgarian libero Vladislav Ivanov, who spent three years in Lyon, and former Nantes receiver-attacker Lukas Demar.
Then, there’s the arrival of Yoann Jaumel, appointed captain. Last year, he did a short autumn stint. The French setter will need to give the Nice group a soul.
In total, the roster of 12 players includes 6 French players, 2 Bulgarians, 1 Czech, 1 Ukrainian, 1 Montenegrin, and 1 Slovenian.
The average age is 25 years, and the average height is 1.97 meters.
Championship start: Friday the 13th against Toulouse in Palmera.
