Including Tie-Break (13-15) in a match that can send you to the semi-finals is never easy to digest. We had to see the thawing mines of the Illacais after an afternoon that many imagined as an epilogue of a 2-1 series after the convincing success won Friday evening (3-0) against these same Rémois.
Except to say that the dream has gradually turned into a nightmare even if nothing has yet been played in one direction as in the other. Nevertheless, going to play a support match in the lair of the Champenois after such a cold shower is not necessarily the most comfortable.
Return in force
However, it all started well with an initial set dominated with the head and shoulders where visitors almost never existed. Thus, Bonnefoy and Tessier gave themselves to heart to send more spicy attacks than ever. The score can also leave your spell 25-15. What imagine such a magical sequel. But this game can be total versatility. Especially when the opponent decides to get out of his torpor.
The Champenois will be used there as soon as the hooks are taken out under the leadership of their pointed Ikken and their attacker-recessor Soualem. The two accomplices will also hurt a lot throughout the game. While the visitors are largely leading 10-17, they will be stopped with the return in force of the Girondins (22-22). But the latter will miss the opportunity to conclude. Not Reims 25-27. The turn of the match certainly.
-“We’re going to go to win”
The next round will smile at the locals even if it was necessary to tear down to lead 2 sets to 1 (29-27). Is the hardest part accomplished? What Nenni! The Illacais stall in the 4th set. Not precise enough, not consistent enough. They bow 21-25. The tie-break lost 13-15 will be an additional torture while the incandescent room was all acquired by the Illacais cause.
Not enough to delight Romain Sellier, the Girondin coach: “Yes, there is a little disappointment because we have opportunities to conclude. We make a very good first set, maybe a little too much elsewhere, so that we lower guard, vigilance. We had the measure of this team on the block-defense system. But, we lost a little consistency in this sector of play where we annoyed ourselves and frustrated not to succeed in countering their pointed. We lacked consistency and confidence in our game. On counterattack balls, we can do better. We don’t give ourselves enough time, we rush a little. For this 5th match in Reims, we will go to win and qualify. It’s not going to be easy. But no one has been a master at home on the first four games. It is therefore 50-50. »»
Saint-Jean-d’Aillac 2-Reims 3
Lieu Saint-Jean-d’Aillac (Pierre Favre room) Spectators 450 Referees Mm. Quentin and Falischia. The sets 25-15 (one 23 min), 25-27 (one 34 min), 29-27 (one 33 min), 21-25 (one 26 min), 13-15 (one 16 min).
Saint-Jean-d’Aillac 64 out of 133 winning attacks or 48 % success 24 faults, including 10 in the service. The points Guérin 5, Bonnefoy 21, Ben Romdhane 12, Tessier 21, Kaba 19, Frederic 6, Bonon 1. Libero: Kroiss.
REIMS 67 out of 129 winning attacks or 52 % success. 3 aces. 16 against. 34 faults including 19 in the service. The points Ikken 35, Soualem 24, Doumbia 1, Leray 7, Oumessad 9, Pire 7, Thimalon 3. Libero: Legrand.
