“We made a good recovery,” insists Olivier Lardier, the coach of EC Orléans. His daughters are therefore in training, Monday, February 20, after having breathed a few days, at the end of the regular phase of the “Elite” volleyball championship.
The Comets did not qualify for the play-offs, weighed down by extra-sporting contingencies (rules subject to interpretation concerning transferred girls, financial worries). A problem that persists, since, of the four penalty points endured in October 2022 and January 2023, three are still counted in the play-down ranking which has just been released, all linked to the deficit encountered by the club.
The time of uncertainty
This does not help the affairs of Orleans. This is all the more true as the initial classification of the play-downs, which will begin on March 4, takes into account the results obtained during the regular phase. However, until now, the Comets have had the annoying habit of “losing the matches that it should not”, notes Olivier Lardier.
Examples with the defeats against Stade Laurentin, Calais, VB Romanais, so many opponents who will face them again… Their objective will, of course, be to avoid last place, synonymous with relegation and a direct return in National 2. Knowing that the status of the Federal Institute will allow it to escape the descent, whatever happens. In short, it will not be easy, ahead of the overhaul of competitions next season.
The volleyball players of EC Orléans in Saint-Laurent-du Var to prepare for the rest…
Thus, the places ranging from 9 to 12, at the end of the play-offs and play-downs, will allow access to the “Access” championship. Places 13, 14 and 15 will give the right to the “Elite” championship.
Uncertainties
In the meantime, the period which opens is filled with uncertainties, on the side of the Argonaut. What is the level of Rennes, Clamart, Halluin, teams from the other “Elite” group, also ejected from the play-offs and future rivals of ECO? “Each club is free to recruit,” fears the Orleans coach. This will not be the case with the ECO, which is far from rolling in gold. It’s true here, as elsewhere, in Istres and Mougins in particular, two clubs qualified for the play-offs but on the verge of implosion. Saved by elected officials, after the announcement of an imminent bankruptcy filing, Istres should end the season. But after ? Who will still be there at the start of the school year?
The play-down schedule
Day 1. Saturday March 4: EC Orléans – Halluin, at 6.30 p.m., at the Argonaute.
Day 2.Saturday March 11: CSM Clamart – EC Orléans, at 6 p.m.
Day 3. Saturday March 18: EC Orléans – Rennes EC, at 6.30 p.m., at the Argonaute.
Day 4.Saturday March 25: Federal Institute – EC Orléans, at 5.30 p.m.
Day 5.Saturday 1 April: Halluin – EC Orléans, at 9 p.m.
Day 6.Saturday April 8: EC Orléans – CSM Clamart, at 6.30 p.m., at the Argonaute.
Day 7. Saturday 22 April: Rennes EC – EC Orléans, at 7 p.m.
Day 8.Saturday 29 April: EC Orléans – Federal Institute, at 6.30 p.m., at the Argonaute.
The initial classification of the play-downs
Laurent Coursimault
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