Handball: beaten this time by the promoted Istres, Usam Nîmes does not succeed

The Nîmes players and Kaczor, who scored a good 4 out of 5 shots, on the ground: third consecutive defeat for Usam in a preparation match. MIDI LIBRE – MIKAEL ANISSET

Tuesday, August 27, in a friendly match at Parnasse.

Usam (D1) 29 – Istres (D1) 30

Half-time: 16-15. Around 500 spectators.

Score evolution : 5’ : 2/4 ; 15’ : 7/6 ; 20’ : 11/8 ; 35’ : 20/17 ; 45’ : 25/24 ; 52’ : 26/26 ; 55' : 27/28.

USAM : Be (19 saves and 1 goal), Del Blanco (l.), Derisbourg (3 goals on 4 shots), Rebichon (cap, 2/3), Gibelin (3/5), Costa Da Silva (2/3), Kamtchop-Baril (3/4), Gibernon (3/5), Kaczor (4/5), Sanad (1/3), Acquevillo (3/6), Vincent (4/6).

It was the third test match in two weeks for Usam, who were on the back of two (large) consecutive defeats at home against Chambéry (22-33) and away against Saint-Raphaël (26-36). Never two without three, therefore, with a third defeat in a row, conceded this time by a minimum margin, but against an opponent, the promoted Istres, presumed weaker…

Returns of players, like Sanad, but not the return of victory

This meeting nevertheless marked the return of Mohammad Sanad after the Olympic Games, of Rémi Peyre, of Tom Poyet and the presence of many youngsters from the training center. Note the absence on the match sheet of Wesley Pardin injured.

We expected a rise in power from Nîmes in defense and attack. We saw a team with a mobile and united defense that notably allowed Dylan Soyez to shine with 19 saves and 1 goal. In attack, the aim still needs to be adjusted with too much waste in shots (10 missed shots in the first period). Interesting combinations but still in the running-in phase were appreciated according to the successive changes of players. We were able to see exciting attack combinations with the blocks of the pivot Kamtchop-Baril which allowed Lou Derisbourg to make great proposals in attack.

Beaten despite the 19 saves of the new goalkeeper Dylan Soyez

In the 2nd period, the pace did not change even if the Istres defense became more aggressive. Dylan Soyez once again put his talent at the service of the team. The money-time set the stands ablaze as if we were already in championship mode but did not turn in favor of Usam.

David Degouy, the new Gard coach, noted that his team had “sometimes lacked aggression on shooters identified as Petersen.” The physical must assert itself more and the team must be able to lead a fight that corresponds to the culture of Usam. In attack, the team must be more generous and not miss its shots in the 6m to remain faithful to its DNA”.2

The work remains complete

The work remains complete, therefore. The team must now move forward faster before the first official deadlines, in Nancy in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France on Tuesday, September 3 and in Coubertin against PSG for the first day of the championship the following weekend. Last test this Thursday in Rodez against Toulouse. To try to avoid the “never three without four” consecutive defeats in preparation…

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