Despite an exit from the competition at a lower level than last season (1-2, against Grenoble in the round of 16), pride came through a lot in the speech of the Bordeaux Boxers coach, Olivier Dimet, on Tuesday evening: “We had a great hockey match against a great team, the best in Ligue Magnus and the defending champion of the Coupe de France, and a superb Pintaric (the Grenoble goalkeeper, author of 50 saves, editor’s note). We lacked a little realism so there is obviously disappointment but a lot of pride. I am very proud of my players.”
For Captain Loïk Poudrier, these feelings of regret but also of joy at having returned such a copy were shared. “There is a little regret precisely because we feel that we are capable of competing with such a team. This is the kind of challenge we want to face. Now, to win them, there are still details to be sorted out and positives to be taken from each defeat. We must continue to learn. »
In the meantime, the performance displayed by the Bordelais has added a little more credibility to their solid start to the season (14 victories for 7 defeats) and to the ambitions of the club which dreams of reliving a final. “This last third against Grenoble is how we have to play over 60 minutes and I know we are capable of doing it,” assures Dimet. Even if it is difficult and requires a lot of energy. I have great confidence in this team, I know that great things await us.”
Tough opponent
To find out if the Grenoble lesson has been learned by the Boxers, the evaluation is already for this Friday evening, in Marseille. The Phocaeans also experienced the disillusionment of an exit from the Coupe de France, them by Nice (2-3). Will success go to the one who has digested the elimination best? “Certainly,” Dimet replies.
“We are happy to head off on the road to Marseille, then Briançon on Sunday, to digest all that,” says the captain. Without forgetting that it remains difficult to play Marseille at home. We remember last year’s play-offs… (4 victories for Bordeaux after 7 matches!), they are still waiting for us and are close to us in the rankings. » They also gave the Mériadeck crowd a thrill on the first day with a victory for the Boxers after overtime (3-2).
In short, the stage is set. But hope remains for the Bordelais who will face a team which won in overtime against Amiens (5-4) but had lost the two receptions before against Grenoble (3-4) and Gap (2-3) . Olivier Dimet continues: “We know that it will still be a complicated battle in a full ice rink. They are one of our direct competitors (9 points separate the two teams) so we will do everything to take these three points which would separate them a little further. » A victory over the Marseille Spartans on Friday evening and another on the ice of the red lantern, Briançon, on Sunday (6:30 p.m.) would be the assurance that the Bordelais are no longer brooding over the Cup but are well on their way for the final race.
The match
Marseille (5th/32 pts) – Bordeaux (3rd/41 pts), this Friday, November 29, at 8:15 p.m.
