The Nice water polo has achieved numerous titles, whether with CACEL or ONN, thanks to the men’s team, which has won eight championships and two French cups in the last ten seasons. Today, both elite formations dominate their respective divisions and dream of a remarkable double.
The women’s group is currently in second place but has one game less compared to the formidable team from Nancy. Qualified for the quarter-finals of the European Cup, it will host some of the best teams from the Old Continent at the Jean Bouin swimming pool from January 12 to 14, 2007. A spectacle guaranteed. While waiting for the start of the year, let’s look back on a fabulous season marked by a second-place finish in the championship and an unexpected qualification for the Champion’s League with captain Sandra Desmartines and coach Robert Norait.
Following the severe 13-1 defeat against the favorites from Madrid last December 8, the coach reminds that “the season started well, notably thanks to the victory against Nancy (10-6).” He believes that “(his) team can win the title, the true objective of the season since his players have a 50% chance of winning the championship with the Lorraine team.”
Regarding the European Cup, he sees it “as an additional experience to learn and check that the level to reach to join the best is quite high.” Acknowledging that “Nice is not part of the international elite,” he is pleased “that his team qualified for the next round” even if he knows it will be even more difficult.
With a very young and quality team, Robert Norait admits “there are limits in cohesion and work but there are good things.” He also takes the men’s team as an example and claims “the significant level of Nice water polo and the fight for titles.”
Captain Sandra Desmartines is pleased with her team’s good ranking but remains grounded, knowing “a lot can happen before the end of the season.” Like her coach, she aims for the title with a group she knows is capable of beating Nancy and others. The European Cup for her is “a reward” that crowns last season’s success.
Clear-headed and smiling, the 25-year-old woman tells, when asked about her role in the team, that she “must ensure everything goes well, and that (her) captaincy rewards (her) experience.”
At her age, she sets the goal of winning the championship before the end of her career and seems poised to conquer this trophy as soon as this year.
The women’s water polo team hosts Bordeaux, a strong opponent, in the championship on January 6, 2007, and will then hold the European Cup quarter-finals at Jean Bouin from January 12 to 14. We expect many of you to come and support Robert Norait’s girls and maybe discover this impressive sport.
More information at: [https://nice-waterpolo.com/](https://nice-waterpolo.com/)
