Sunday October 15, at 5 p.m. at the Montpellier Arena, Usam Nîmes challenges MHB. A challenge for the Green team and a first in a derby for its pivot, Hugo Kamtchop-Baril, excited by the local fervor. Interview.
This cursed October 21, 2022, his right knee failed him against Istres, at Parnasse, on the occasion of the 6th day of Starligue. Verdict: rupture of the cruciate ligaments. Barely arriving from Cesson, Nîmes until 2025, here is Hugo Kamtchop-Baril, 27 years old on November 12, leaving for a white season with Usam. A year later, and seventy-two hours before the derby in Montpellier, the pivot, back in play, delivered his impressions.
What approach do you have to this derby, your first?
Even injured, I already experienced two last year, from the inside, with the guys. In the stands, I was like a crazy person with only one desire, to be there. Knowing that I’m going to play it excites me to death. I know that there is a lot of excitement around these matches, that Usam has not won there for thirty years. The Nantes – Cesson derbies were already pretty good. But, here, I find that it is a level above in terms of commitment, intensity, popular enthusiasm.
In addition to being a clash between undefeated leaders…
These are two teams who are never very far in the rankings, playing in the top 5. If MHB is still above, Usam is not very far. These are big matches, everyone wants to watch.
”We go there with ambition, the desire to do something”
At the Arena, in front of 8,000 spectators, ideal for doing well?
Playing at the Arena will make the poster a little more beautiful, it will ”sell a little more” also for the people around, it’s two leaders facing each other. For us, it will be a big test against a big caliber and it will also allow us to see if we are one of them or if we just had a great start to the season.
This Usam seems ready for the feat?
In any case, we go there with ambition, the desire to do something, not just an extra part. If we manage to drag Montpellier into a match that is played on money time… it’s a match where handball will be hyperpresent, of course, but it will also be something else.
Personally, you have achieved a resounding comeback (7th goal scorer in the Starligue at…94% shooting). Surprised ?
Yes a bit. I didn’t expect it in the sense that, just before the match against Chambéry (1st day, September 10), I lacked rhythm. Afterwards, during the match, I was so hungry, I was so hungry. And with my new canes (sic), it can be even better than before.
”Behind Paris, Nantes and Montpellier, it has to be us”
How do you judge the team’s potential?
Between us, we said to ourselves that 4th place was the goal. In all this galaxy of teams fighting for 4th place, we are one of the favorites, we must not hide it. There are Paris, Nantes and Montpellier, we will try to tickle them. Behind it, it has to be us. I clearly aim to play in the European Cup, and with ambition.
A word about this “infernal” Parnassus and its atmosphere?
In Nîmes, they are not spectators but real supporters. There is really a lot of noise in the room. This is also one of the reasons why Nîmes is attractive. Sometimes, you struggle a little to bring the audience. There, they push us hard. Honestly, it’s crazy to play in Nîmes.
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