This evening, at 20:00, for the 12th day of Starligue, USAM Nîmes Gard (9th, 12 points) moves to Chartres (12th, 7 points). A game that promises to be complicated for the greens because at home the Chartrais have already knocked down Aix, Chambéry and kept Toulouse in check.
Last Friday’s defeat in Parnassus against Aix (31-33) inevitably left a bitter taste in Nîmes’ mouth. “There was a lot of disappointment. After reviewing the game, not everything is to be thrown away. We’ve done a lot of good things. It takes time to take it, there’s a lot of new things”, tempera Tom Poyet. But time, the Usamists have little. After Chartres, there will be three clashes before the winter break, against the direct competitors in fourth place (Toulouse, Cesson and Limoges). Nîmes are currently just two points from goal, but be careful not to be too out of trouble mid-league in this seven-man battle for the time being.
“It has to come. Difficult to set up a new team with so many changes, two new goalkeepers”, also insists the assistant coach, Yann Balmossière, who also specifies the long absence of two recruits: Hugo Kamtchop-Baril, successfully operated on this week and Boïba Sissoko. Staff and players are optimistic and therefore require some patience before the machine is fully launched. First we have to keep beating teams that are struggling to maintain themselves.
With Kamtchop-Baril’s absence, Tom Poyet has taken on more responsibility (Photo Anthony Maurin) • Anthony MAURINO
Especially with a very tough opponent in his Jean-Cochet room where he shows a certain solidity. Aix in the opening match (34-27) and Chambéry (29-28) have already broken their teeth there. Toulouse gets away with a draw (24-24) and even the Parisian ogre risks tripping. The eight-times champion won with a small goal at the end of the match (32-33). The Nîmes are therefore advised. But to stay in the running for Europe, missteps are forbidden.
Ljubomir Vranjes is ill
Apart from the defeat in Montpellier, the Gardois are doing quite well this season. “We have less pressure outside, we are freer. The matches are really successful. It was already like this last year, says Yann Balmossiere, it’s a group that likes to be self-sufficient and come together on the go.” An assistant coach promoted to top scorer for this match because Ljubomir Vranjes has the flu and missed his train. Chartres brings good luck to Yann as he had already found himself number one during the two meetings last season where Nîmes had won twice. Franck Maurice was suspended on his way out and left his post on his return.
In total, the Usamistes remain on a five-game winning streak against Chartres since their rise into the elite. In the event of the coach’s forfeit, the group remains the same as against Aix with the three big men still absent (Tesio, Kamtchop-Baril and Sissoko). So beware of the trap for Nîmes who want to end 2022 with a positive series.
The maintained group: Baznik, Demaille; Poyet, Gallego, Joblon, Dupuy, Minel, Acquevillo, Tobie, Salou, Konradsson, Hesham, Vincent, Rebichon, Sanad, Gibernon.
Find the program of this 12th day and the standings:
Corentin Corger
