Handball: the time for the playoffs has finally come and the Frontignans are hungry

Anthony Laurens et les siens sont prêts pour le grand rendez-vous dans une salle Ferrari à guichets fermés. MIDI LIBRE – Jérôme Belluire

Le FTHB reçoit Pontault-Combault, ce mardi 21 mai à Ferrari (20 h), pour le match aller d'une série qui peut le conduire au Final Four.

The big end-of-season meeting in Proligue has finally arrived and, for the second year in a row, Frontignan Thau Handball is invited. Despite the three points withdrawn by the CNACG and the refereeing errors which cost them dearly at the end of the regular phase, the Muscatiers are one of the four teams still in the race to join Tremblay and Istres in the Final Four.< /p>

One more step to take

For this, we will have to beat Pontault-Combault in a series of two matches, the first being scheduled for this Tuesday evening at home. « We have been preparing all year. There, we make the final adjustments, you just have to arrive with confidence », says Asier Antonio. A coach who has not forgotten that, last year, for its first season in Proligue, the team faced the same opponent. « We played difficult play-offs. At home, we had not shown the level displayed throughout the season. There was also a lot of fatigue because we had fought to get this sixth place. And, opposite, we found a big team from Pontault-Combault. This time, our goal is to be competitive. This is the next step this team must take. »

A giant step forward for the "Little Thumb" of these playoffs ? Not necessarily. Things have changed since last year. The FTHB is qualified and has known its opponent since April 26. It gives you time to prepare. And then, Ayhan Alexandre's troupe has already beaten Pontault twice this season…

The playoffs, a completely different competition

« That doesn't count, warns Asier Antonio. « We see in all sports that the playoffs are another competition. On the other hand, they are not going to come as victims. And we are very happy and proud to have beaten them twice, no one will take these two great performances away from us. But the playoffs have nothing to do with the regular phase. It’s up to us to be ready. Because if we are not, players, coaches, managers, we risk falling from a height. »

For this match, which is so important in the history of the club, the coach will be able to count on all of his troops, apart from Quentin Didelot. A group which made a comeback this Friday on the Cherbourg pitch (29-29). « It wasn't the most important match of the season but, as we always play to win, everyone participated. Certainly, we knew that Pontault was our next adversary, just as the Cherbourgeois knew that they were taking Sélestat. The preparation was different but the team took the field to get back into competition mode after a weekend of rest. The players wanted to show, after the points in the standings were withdrawn, that they are better than sixth place. It was a good warm-up match for everyone. We would have liked to win it, but that was not the primary objective. »

Joy and pride

The match to win will take place this Tuesday. To extend this wonderful Proligue adventure that started almost two years ago, but also to experience one last communion with the supporters. « We have been preparing for this for several weeks », continues Asier Antonio. « Against Billère, we didn't know if it would be our last match at Ferrari. And we managed. I think that, this time, the possibility of the gift linked to a good performance will be greater than this emotion. Many will play their last match here, but we can live it with joy. Playing a Proligue playoff match with the club that made you grow up is a chance. For me too, who arrived at a promoted club, the possibility of finishing well is a chance. The emotion this Tuesday should be one of pride and joy. »

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