The final smile of President Griguier was worth the evening’s commentary alone: “I want the team to reach the final in Paris (Editor’s note: May 8), the rest doesn’t matter to me.”
As for the rest, tension characterized an intense match, with incessant twists and turns, which the Nice team claimed with determination by biting their way to the decisive points in the fourth and final set (34-32).
With this victory (3-1), Nice also gains a psychological advantage and are the heavy favorites in this semifinal.
The match could be summarized as a duel between the reach of the Vauclusien attacker Eugรจne and the height of the Nice player Matei (19 points), who were the spearheads of their respective teams: in the end, it was the latter (ably supported by Mitrovic) who emerged victorious.
The first set began at full speed for Orange, who took the lead (6-3/ 12-8/ 18-12) but succumbed to the locals’ comeback, who drew even at 19-19. The set then played out point by point, with Orange ultimately winning it 27-25.
The following two sets were uneventful, during which Nice demonstrated skill and clear superiority, while their opponents disappeared from the scene, as shown by the scores: 25-14 and 25-15.
Noteworthy is Borota’s ankle injury (sprain?) who, after the necessary medical examinations, will learn the extent of his injury and, in sporting terms, the impact of his absence from the playing field.
The oranges (also the color of their jersey) regained their composure in the fourth set. Nice, obliged to stay on track, did not give up, and the two teams were tied for the final sprint: 22-22.
After an endless series of advantage points for one team and the other, Nice finally won the match with a burst of pride, which offered them an important edge for the return match to be played next Wednesday in Orange.
Return match next Wednesday in Orange, potential decider on Saturday, May 3, final on the 8th in Paris
