Handball: at the Chambéry Lighthouse, Usam does not want to die out

Avant de redevenir adjoint la saison prochaine, Yann Balmossière a une tache à mener à bien en tant que numéro 1. MIDI LIBRE – ALEXIS BETHUNE

As part of the 24th day of Starligue, Usam Nîmes (6th, 26 points) visits Chambéry (8th, 23 points), Friday April 12 at 8 p.m., in its Lighthouse. An evening to illuminate with a success for the Gardois.

Thursday April 11, Yann Balmossière celebrated his 51st birthday. A victory this Friday in Chambéry would undoubtedly be the best birthday present that his players could give to their coach. ''It’s sure it would be good, agrees the fifty-year-old technician. It wouldn't just be a gift for me because victories at the Phare (name of the venue where Team Chambé plays), they are always rare (one success in the last five trips, two draws, Editor's note) and they are always tough matches.''

In case of victory, Usam puts Chambé out of the race for Europe

Taking a quick look at the history between the two clubs in D1 confirms the trend put forward by the Gard coach: over the last ten meetings, Chambéry and Usam have won four each, for two draws. On the occasion of this eleventh lifting, since 2019, Nîmes has the opportunity to strike a big blow in addition, undoubtedly, to extinguish for good the Lighthouse and its occupants in their quest for top 5 and Europe at the end of the season. ''It’s true that by winning, we would put them at five points in the standings, recalls ‘’Balmo’’. Chambéry is a team that was European this season (European League) but which, like us, had a lot of injuries at the start. There, it stabilized a little. Anyway, in a match against a team like Chambéry, there is danger everywhere, experienced players. It’s a tough match.''

Balmossière: ''A very important match which makes the following ones even more important''

An opposition between two groups with a somewhat similar destiny, both at the end of their cycle. In the Savoyard camp, Erick Mathé, after six seasons on the bench, will leave his post, heading to Montpellier.
Whatever the context, it is above all a match to be won for the Gardois who are determined to build on their good momentum, materialized by these three consecutive victories. ''It’s a very important match and one which makes the following ones even more important, points out the future assistant to David Degouy. We must try to ensure that the penultimate match, the reception of Limoges (29-32 in the first leg), is a bit like the decisive match for this 5th place. Now, if we want to give the importance of the match against Limoges, the four matches that are coming, we have to win them.''

Goalkeeper Alexandre Demaille still absent

The group:  Baznik, Del Blanco (l.).Rebichon, Vincent, Tobie, Dupuy, Minel, Acquevillo, Zuzo, Konradsson, Gibernon, Abdelhak, Sanad, Antic, Poyet, Gallego .

Absent: Demaille (left, elbow), Kamtchop-Baril, Sissoko (cruciate ligaments), Derisbourg.

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