Final Objective 4, two matches per week… MHB resumes its European routine with the reception of Silkeborg this Tuesday

Montpellier aura besoin d’un bon Ahmed Hesham ce mardi pour espérer la victoire contre Silkeborg. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

Avec la réception de Silkeborg ce mardi (20 h 45), le MHB retrouve la Coupe d’Europe et son rythme effrené, avec la première journée de Ligue européenne.

The last time we saw the MHB in the European Cup, Kiel sent him and his hopes of the Champions League Final Four to the depths of the Baltic Sea. This Tuesday against the Danes of Silkeborg, Érick Mathé's team is back to its continental routine with the European League and the rhythm that goes with it.

A normality to which Montpellier has become well accustomed after 30 years of European competitions, which it is eager to return to. “We were looking forward to it, that's for sure, rejoices the Hérault coach.But at the same time, having a month of September without playing, just after the Olympics, was pretty good for us. It allowed us to continue working and perfect our preparation which had only lasted 15 days." 

"My players aren't used to playing only once a week"

Even so, Valentin Porte's teammates may have suffered from this lack of rhythm, high intensity during matches, and several matches per week… A rich man's problem, that's for sure.

Except that against Nantes, with already three Champions League matches under their belts, the difference may have been made there and could be the explanation for MHB's 18 ball losses during the defeat (29-26).

“My players are not used to playing only once a week. It was evident at the start of the match against Aix, we didn't have the desired aggressiveness. So it was about time it happened", explains the Montpellier technician.

Final Objective 4

Especially since an important month is looming for his players, with the first leg matches of this group phase as well as the derby against Nîmes and a trip to PSG, at the end of which a first step could be taken, or not.

Having come very close to the Final 4 of the Champions League last year with this elimination against Kiel in the quarter-finals – which it could find again a little later in the competition – the MHB is aiming for the European League this season, already achieved in 2023 (defeat in the semi-final against Göppinghen).

But what is the general level of this competition, the only one that Montpellier has not won ? "It is very good, answers Mathé. There are teams like Kiel, Flensburg, GOG who were in the Champions League last year… This competition is really tough. It's not necessarily a higher level of play than in Starligue. But it's an additional commitment, that's for sure."

The match: the Danes of Silkeborg to start

Facing them this Tuesday evening at the FDIStadium, Montpellier will have some well-known faces in the ranks of Silkeborg. Starting with the brilliant Danish left-back-half-centre, Rasmus Lauge-Shmidt, executioner of the Blues of the assistant & Eacute;rick Mathé and some Montpellier players during the final of the 2023 World Cup, with ten goals scored.

From the to have an anti-Lauge-Schmidt plan ? “No, but of course we're not going to let him play, Mathé replies.We still know that he's a scoring machine." Montpelliérains will also have to keep an eye on the experienced Morten Olsen, 39, or the pivot Henrik Toft Hansen. But Stas Skube, everyone will be there on the side Hérault, the knee of captain Valentin Porte is doing well despite a scare against Aix.

The MHB group: Bolzinger, Desbonnet.Karlsson, Simonet, Villeminot, Pellas, Cikusa, Hesham,Fernandez, A.Lenne, Prat, Konan, Monte, (cap.) Porte, Y.Lenne, Nacinovic.

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