Handball: Usam Nîmoises, faster, higher, stronger ?

Chloé Roelandt, ici en amical avec l’Usam. PHOTO USAM – QUENTIN XERRI

National 1 women. Update on the – intensive – preparation of Usam Nîmoises, promoted and aiming for D2, with the experienced pivot Chloé Roelandt.

The day after the “preparation derby” between Montpellier, announced tenor of National 1, and Nîm’arguerittes now become Usam Nîmoises, it is a satisfied Chloé Roelandt who confided in Midi Libre.

This test match for the team promoted to the 3rd national level, last Wednesday in Hérault, ended 25-25. A good omen for the Gardoises. Who won in Eyguières (N2) 23-14 on August 7, in Mende (N3) 26-22 on August 10 and completed the Bruno-Catel challenge in Marguerittes with two wins (20-15 against Cannes, N1 and 17-14 against Aix, N1) and a defeat (20-12 against Le Pouzin, D2) this weekend in Marguerittes.

“Everyone is stronger and more seasoned”

After three weeks of preparation, the experienced 34-year-old pivot, although used to the top level, emphasizes that the club Gardois who is rising has also raised the bar in terms of demand: “This summer, the “prep” includes a bigger muscle and cardio section. Everyone is stronger and more seasoned than last year at the same time. Everyone played the game. There are always between 18 and 21 players in training, and there is a more intense investment on the physical and personal level”.

A preparation a notch above therefore, under the leadership of David Morel, to see even above, precisely: promotion to D2 is the clearly announced objective. “The implementation of the “prep” and recruitment facilitate projection to D2”, Roelandt believes.

In addition to the returns from long-term injuries of Laurie Carreterro (goalkeeper) and Océane Vasquez (right back), Usam has signed Samantha Priou (Plan-de-Cuques, D1), the captain of the French U17 team Lily Baldet and Faustine Pascal (Bouillargues, N2), Louane Degermann (Bouillargues, N2/D2), Manon Rebois (Vaulx-en-Velin, N2)… and Mouna Chebbah (ex HBC Nîmes and Bouillargues), still champion of Turkey 2024, at 42 years old, and who was one of the best players in the world.

Derby, preparation, action!

A return synonymous with reunions for Roelandt, former teammate of the Tunisian in D2 at Bouillargues. “I have the impression that she never left. From her first training session, the first pass she made to me was the same as the first pass at Bouillargues", she confides. A fundamental half-center-pivot relationship in handball, which could weigh heavily in the path of the promoted Gardoises. Faster, higher, stronger ?

First meetings this Saturday at 8:30 p.m. in Avignon (N2) for the first round of the Federal French Cup, and Saturday September 7 in the championship in… Montpellier to start (6 p.m.). There, it will no longer be a preparation derby. But an action derby. A derby to win.

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