ASBH-Brive: “It’s the victory of the heart, the public transcended us”, the Béziers locker room in madness after a historic victory

Second row Hans N'Kinsi, hero of the match after scoring the winning try three minutes from time. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

Play-offs/Play-off. Thanks to a try scored three minutes from the end against Brive in a crazy atmosphere, Béziers has the right to challenge Vannes in the semi-final, next Friday at the Rabine stadium. The opportunity for the players to savor historic happiness and thank a wild audience in the stands.    

Chins raised, chests out, they will be able to say that they were there, finally having a Homeric memory to tell. Generation in Brive, carries within it the scent of the unprecedented, of the exploit and downright madness.

I've played in several clubs, but I've rarely experienced an atmosphere like that

"Tonight, an entire city won this match. I've played in several clubs, but I've rarely experienced an atmosphere like that", split scrum-half Samuel Marques, a few minutes after the final whistle. Béziers is in the semi-final amid general joy. Heading now to Vannes, for a semi-final which will also smell of sulfur, next Friday in Morbihan.

Also read: Pro D2 Dam. ASBH – Brive: Béziers emerges victorious from a suspenseful crossover against Brive to reach the semi-finals

Also read: ASBH: against Brive, Samuel Marques and Otunuku Pauta showed the way

Also read: Béziers-Brive: the arrival of the ASBH players at the Raoul-Barrière stadium on video!

Transcended by the public

Like a totally disjointed and disheveled end to the match, ASBH was able to force its destiny by snatching victory in the 77th minute, thanks to a try from second row Hans N’Kinsi. "We showed that we are a close-knit group, with a lot of character. We had weak times, but we remained cool in our heads and the public helped us a lot.", says the latter, acclaimed by the entire stadium.

Yesterday we had to see the thousands of supporters colorful in "red and blue", listening to their satiety to their anthem "Aqui es Besiérs" , sensing the heat of the night to come in the scents and the cheerfulness, all this barnum to celebrate the first success in the history of Béziers in a play-off match at home in ten seven seasons of Pro D2.

A gala evening to prove that with this team, anything is now possible

A whole life waiting for the hope of a return to the elite. A gala evening to prove that with this team, everything is now possible. It was well worth a lap of honor and quotes for posterity at a press conference. "It’s a victory of the heart. We believe in ourselves, we play a game we believe in, we pushed to the end with our weapons, with an audience that transcends us", testifies the coach’ Pierre Caillet, true mentor of a group which no longer sets itself any limits.

Now, we will go to Vannes and remain the Little Thumb of these final phases.

"We are capable of overturning mountains, it shows the play we can produce, we don't give up. Now, we will go to Vannes and remain the Little Thumb of these final phases. It didn’t come down to much, we didn’t give up. We will have no pressure, our season is already successful, even if we really want to win", insists Marques.

The party before going to Vannes

The Biterrois were however hot, especially in the scrum, which cost them six penalties and which could quite simply have cost them the match. Quip from Marques, who only sees the glass (of beer) half full: "If we take six scrum penalties in each match and we win at the end, I'm satisfied."

Here, let's go have a drink first

No question of falling into blissful euphoria. Captain Clément Ancely watches over the grain, aware of the strengths of his team. "This year, he says, we are harvesting the fruits of our physical preparation this summer. We still had fuel at the end. Vannes, that’s not a bonus. We are one match away from a final in Toulouse, we cannot waste it, it is not possible. There, we'll first go have a drink." One certainty: last night, the people of Béziers celebrated the feria before the ;hour.