While waiting for the resumption of official competition on September 12 with the reception of Saran (1st Starligue day), the Parnassus public meets USAM for two friendly matches against Saint-Raphaël and Nancy. Tonight at 8:45 p.m. against the Var, it will be an opportunity to review the four internationals returning from the Tokyo Olympics and in particular Michaël Guigou who will present his third gold medal.
Like two years ago, USAM is playing a friendly tournament in Parnassus on the sidelines of this new season. Exit the “Tournament of the Sun and place from now on to the” Tournament of the infernal Parnassus “, renamed for this edition 2021 according to the formula often used by the president David Tebib to praise the merits of the public Nîmes. Initially the Nîmes had to face the Sporting Lisbon but the Portuguese training has several positive cases of Covid-19 and had to cancel its visit to the Gard. “It reminds us that this pandemic has not yet passed”, comments Franck Maurice.
At a moment’s notice, the organizer contacted various teams, especially Spanish ones, but all had meetings planned. Finally, it was Nice (Proligue) who agreed to come on Thursday to face Nancy, promoted this season in Starligue. A first match to get the ball rolling tonight at 6:45 p.m. before the duel between the Green team and Saint-Raphaël, eighth in the last championship. A team which, in fact, is not qualified for a European Cup but which remains very competitive and which will serve as a dress rehearsal for the Green team.
The four returning internationals
On this occasion, the Nîmes public will be able to celebrate Michaël Guigou, who won with the French team a third gold medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. A real feat that places the 39-year-old winger in the pantheon of French sport since only 18 French athletes have obtained at least three gold medals at the Olympics. Reservist with the Blues, Rémi Desbonnet is also making his comeback in this summer preparation like the two Egyptians Mohammad Sanad and Ahmed Hesham, who finished at the foot of the podium in Tokyo.
The internationals have returned to form but Franck Maurice must nevertheless deal with an absence and uncertainty. Victim of a small muscle injury to the hip, Quentin Dupuy is forfeited. Embarrassed by pain in the elbows, Jean-Jacques Acquevillo is uncertain. The Nîmes squad should therefore be composed of 14 players supplemented by the young Damien Gibernon. Rémi Salou and Romain Tesio are still unavailable. The rookies Henrik Jakobsen and Mathieu Salou are very present.
Only the Gardois and the Lorrainers will play a second meeting, the Varois only wanting to play once and the Niçois are expected for another match on the Lyon side. A confrontation which will take place tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Parnassus. For the moment, in three friendly matches, Nîmes has a mixed record. A draw against Aix (32-32), a loss on penalties (36-38) against Limoges and finally a victory against the Spaniards of Granollers (37-31). Two performances at home to continue to prowl before a last friendly tournament next week near Limoges.
Corentin Corger
Program of the Infernal Parnassus Tournament: Thursday August 26: Nice-Nancy (6:45 p.m.), USAM-Saint-Raphaël (8:45 p.m.). Friday August 27: USAM-Nancy (7 p.m.). Free entry. Health pass compulsory.
The Nîmes group selected: Desbonnet, Paul; Rebichon, Guigou, Sanad, Hesham, Nyateu, Minel, Tobie, M. Salou, Gibernon, Gallego, Jakobsen, Poyet.
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