After Tuesday’s draw against Aix (32-32) in its first preparation match, USAM will now play three friendly tournaments. The first takes place on Friday and Saturday near Toulouse. Update on this preparation before the return of the four internationals on Monday.
Since July 20, USAM Nîmes Gard has resumed training. Daily sessions, sometimes two a day, which alternate between CrossFit and work on handball at Parnassus. After a month of preparation, the Nîmes, qualified for the third consecutive season in the European Cup, played their first friendly match on Tuesday in Saint-Gilles. Against Aix, fourth in the last championship, Franck Maurice’s men drew 32-32.
“For a first match there was a lot of intensity and commitment on the part of both teams. I’m satisfied with my players because we got into the match well even if behind we dived a little and obviously there are still things to rectify “, comments the Nîmes coach. In a format of three 20-minute periods, the locals led 16-9 after the first half before being joined. It was Tobie who emerged as the top scorer with six goals. Rookies Mathieu Salou and Jakobsen also distinguished themselves by scoring three and four goals respectively.
For this first of seven preparatory meetings, six pro players were missing. Guigou and Desbonnet Olympic champions with France as well as Sanad and Hesham beaten in the semi-final by these same blues. Four players who are enjoying their last days of vacation before resuming training on Monday. As for Rémi Salou and Tesio, they will be absent for a long time. If the state of health of the first improves, the second will not return before 2022 affected in the ankle and shin. It is almost with the same 11 pros (Gallego is uncertain because of his ankle) that the deadlines continue with the Toulouse tournament which takes place on Friday and Saturday.
Toulouse then the “Infernal Parnassus Tournament”
It is a squad of 14 players who will take the direction of Haute-Garonne completed by young Gouazé, Gibernon and Tolleron. A dislocated finger, Esparon is unavailable, Pugliese is left at the disposal of the N3. Tomorrow at 5 p.m., the Gardois will face Limoges. Saturday, depending on the results of the day before, they will face Toulouse or Granollers during the small (4 p.m.) or the grand final (6.30 p.m.). In three weekends, the Green team will chain three tournaments. On August 26 and 27, everything will be played out at Parnassus where Michaël Guigou will present his third gold medal at the Olympics to the Nîmes public.
The historic “Tournament of the Sun” was renamed this year “Tournoi du Parnasse infernal”. After Sporting Lisbon on Thursday August 26 at 8:45 p.m., Nîmes will be opposed the next day to Nancy (8:30 p.m.). Entrance will be free with compulsory health pass. The preparation will end in Limoges with a confrontation against Nantes on September 3 at 6 p.m. and a final friendly match on Saturday 4 against Limoges or Montpellier. What to prepare well for the resumption of the Starligue on September 12 (3 p.m.) against Saran.
Corentin Corger
Usamists’ statistics against Aix: Paul (9 stops), Gouazé (4 stops); Rebichon (2 goals), Acquevillo (4), Dupuy (3), Nyateu (2), Minel (1), Tobie (6), M. Salou (3), Gibernon (2), Gallego (3), Jakobsen ( 4), Poyet (2), Esparon, Pugliese, Tolleron.
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