Jyrki Aho (coach of Grenoble, right picture): “It was a really tough game. We conceded the first goal quite quickly. In the second half, we were mainly in trouble mentally, it was a challenge for our team spirit, but our game was better. The 5 against 3 situation, we practiced it in training and we did exactly as planned. It’s a great goal, immediately followed by another. Big wins are always tense in the end. We were ready to do anything to live these moments. Gap had a good humble game. Life is not always fair, they lose twice in a row in the final, it’s hard for them. »
Aurélien Dair (Grenoble striker): “I don’t really realize it, it’s true that my goal is unlocking the situation a bit. I’m still in pain, luckily I took medicine and we won, otherwise I won’t be here at all [sur la glace pendant la célébrations]. We lost 0-1 and 0-2 but we knew we could win. In the third period, we were very strong. There, I just want to rest, I want to party with the whole team and the fans who are there. »
Sacha Treille (Grenoble striker): “There is always a part of doubt when we are down 0-2. With experience, we learn that a game is never over. The scenarios, I have seen them all in my career. We know that we can turn a match by putting traffic in front of the goal. »
Damien Fleury (Grenoble striker, picture above): “They entered the match well, we may have put a little too much pressure on ourselves. At 2-0, it wasn’t easy, I’m sure a lot of people saw us as losers. We believed in it, we know what we are capable of. These are incomparable emotions. It’s a cup final, it’s not easy to reverse the situation. Honestly, it’s in the top-3 of trophies I’ve won, the match 7 of the 2019 final in Rouen being at the top. It’s experience for young people to lift this trophy, the future is ahead of them. »
Sébastien Oprandi (manager de Gap, right picture): “Two feelings mingle. There is a pride in relation to the group, we had promised each other not to have any regrets and we have none in relation to our game. There is also a lot of disappointment, frustration. A player said that we weren’t allowed to dream, referring to the quality of the refereeing. The problem is above. We are in the most total amateurism in French arbitration. I repeat to the FFHG that this subject must be opened. Bigger game, bigger impact. I don’t blame the referees, they need support. It’s not an easy job, personally I won’t be able to do it. Grenoble are a very good team, they showed character, so that doesn’t take anything away from their victory. We are frustrated because we cannot understand. We overcrowd at the start, they let it pass. At the start of the match, they let play, the first penalty is automatically whistled since it is an out-of-area clearance. The players try to adjust but do not know what will or will not be called. Chad takes a penalty as he removes the puck [à Fleury]. Gutierrez tapped the puck, which was playable. We are in a gray area, in the slot, where the two referees have the right to whistle. It is the referee behind the cage who whistles this penalty when he does not see the puck which is playable, they do not dare to speak to each other. As for the late game, this is the first time this season that we have been whistled for this fault. We need more dialogue. The referees didn’t speak to us before the match, although they had come to do so last year before the final, which we appreciated. »
