Handball: in the French Cup in Nancy, watch out for the bad joke for Usam

This joy of the scorer, the left winger Guéric Vincent could reproduce it several times in Nancy. ARCHIVES MIDI LIBRE – ALEXIS BETHUNE

This Tuesday, September 3 (8 p.m.), Usam Nîmes (Starligue) begins its season with a trip to Nancy (Proligue) in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France. A start that should be smooth. In theory…

This week, Usam Nîmes officially begins its season. Big favorite this Tuesday in Nancy (Proligue) in the Coupe de France, then big outsider Saturday in Coubertin, against PSG in the opening of Starligue.
''We have an extremely difficult start to the season, we are not going to lie, analyzes the president of Nîmes David Tebib. We realize that today, all the teams, whatever they are, sell their skin dearly. We can clearly see that at the start of the season, things are leveled. It's always very dangerous.''

Nancy, 8th in Proligue last season

From there to Usam trembling at the Palais des sports Jean-Weille, this Tuesday, against the 8th of the last Proligue exercise (read opposite) ? Maybe not, either, if Nîmes plays at its level.
''To add to a complicated situation, we are playing quality teams, warns the Gard president. Nancy is a good level Proligue team, established, which is not playing for relegation. A team to really respect so as not to complicate life.''

Elimination would be a bit of a stain on the shirt

Elimination in the last 16 would be a bit of a wine stain on the shirt, even if the strong man of the Nîmes club is already looking ahead to the whole week:''A defeat in Nancy would not be a good thing, that's for sure. Now, if you tell me that you lose in Nancy and you win in Paris, I'll tell you that I prefer to lose there and win in Paris. But, between us, I would of course prefer to win both.''
Because the other big challenge for the Usamistes, after having passed through Lorraine, will therefore be four days later in the championship (1st day) in Paris, against a vengeful PSG.

David Tebib : ''It will certainly be a party in the village for them''

In this Coubertin that the Gardois had air-conditioned at the end of May, during the 28th day, winners by a goal (33-32) by creating the sensation of the year. Before the rhinestones and glitter, first place in Nancy for a Usam necessarily awaited by the teammates of the former Nîmes player, the pivot Baptiste Joblon. ''It will certainly be a party in the village for them, for their first home game, says David Tebib. I am certain that there will be no bouquets of roses from them when we arrive at the venue.''

In Nancy, goalkeeper Wesley Pardin returns to the squad

COMPETITION – After finishing his preparation on a high note, beating the European Toulouse (31-28), in a friendly last Thursday in Rodez, Usam has built up a lot of confidence before this trip to Nancy. On the occasion of this official start, coach David Degouy recalled goalkeeper Wesley Pardin to the group. The recruit from Aix had been spared during the preparation matches, replaced by a very good Dylan Soyez.

The group: Pardin, Soyez (l.). Rebichon (cap), Vincent, Gibelin, Acquevillo, Costa, Chiron, Derisbourg, Konradsson, Gibernon, Sanad, Peyre, Kamtchop-Baril, Poyet, Kaczor.

Absent: Abdelhak (thigh), Sissoko (re-athletic training), Tobie (foot).

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