What a match! On the 18th day of League B, Mladen Kasic’s men hosted the team from Asnières-sur-Seine. It was a fourth consecutive victory for the team from the Côte d’Azur at the end of an incredible match (25-18 / 19-25 / 19-25 / 25-19 / 15-12). A very positive momentum ahead of the playoffs for promotion and the upcoming reception of Canteleu next Friday.
Supporters were again present, as they were two weeks ago for the match against Lyon. Nearly 1,000 spectators filled the stands of the Salle Palmieri. But caution is advised with the team from Ile-de-France, who are currently 4th with 32 points, having been relegated to the second division in 2008, and who had the opportunity last night to gain points on Lyon and surpass Orange, regardless of the result. As for the Côte d’Azur team, they could secure a fourth consecutive victory. And it was mission accomplished for Cristian Bartha and his teammates. However, the match was tightly contested.
The team from the Côte d’Azur took the lead at the start. They were on fire in the first set. After a close beginning, they quickly gained a few points’ lead. Asnières completely missed their start. Ciprian Mattei and Eldin Demirovic, once again impressive tonight, needed no more than this to deliver unstoppable smashes. In 25 minutes, the Côte d’Azur team claimed the first set 25-18.
But Mladen Kasic’s players lost their momentum in the second and third sets. Despite some moments of pride on certain points, the team from Asnières, not 4th in League B for nothing, took over partly thanks to their number 16, Nicolas Gardien, as well as attacks from Andrej Patuc and William Bersani Da Costa. They also took advantage of the unusual mistakes by the team from Nice. Despite Mladen Kasic’s efforts, his players couldn’t produce quality gameplay. Misunderstandings, hand faults, nothing suggested a comeback from the team from Nice in this match. The team from Ile-de-France gained a significant lead, up to 8 points ahead, and didn’t let go, leading 2 sets to 1 each time with a score of 25-19. Considering the gameplay, the team from Hauts-de-Seine seemed headed for a four-set victory.
Was it the end of hope for the team from the Côte d’Azur? Not at all, “impossible but not for Nice.” The team from the Côte d’Azur found the resolve to ignite their play in the fourth set. A group with character that knew how to handle pressure. Some errors from Asnières, a present captain, Cristian Bartha, and the team from Nice caught up (25-19). And what a tie-break it was! In an electrified Salle Palmieri, Aleksandar Milivojevic’s teammates, less prominent tonight, took a small lead at the right moment (13-12) before concluding with a final block by Eldin Demirovic (15-12).
The spectators could celebrate, as the team from Nice pulled off a small feat by coming back in a match that seemed lost. A true volleyball match as we love them. A victory with guts, which speaks volumes about Nice-Volley’s revival after a forgettable start to January, now well behind them. The club is now in 6th place with 29 points and could further confirm their form on Friday with the reception of the team from Canteleu from Normandy.
