Usam Nîmes: with the Pole Sebastian Kaczor, it’s square

''To prove myself and be even better, I decided to go abroad.'' MIDI LIBRE – ALEXIS BETHUNE

In addition to his physique, the Polish recruit (pivot) of the Green team advances rigor and adaptability.

Even shy and reserved, when Sebastian Kaczor enters a room, it is difficult not to notice him, imposing frame of 1.98 meters for 111 kg. Far from the pivots of ''sliding or positional, as could be Benjamin Gallego or is Tom Poyet, Sebastian is a real pivot of fixation, massive, explains coach David Degouy. And when you have anchor points in the defense, that means that it will free up space for you on the back base.''
With his partner in the position, Hugo Kamtchop-Baril (1.93 m ; 93 kg), things should move in defense, position 3. Move, like what Sebastian Kaczor, 22, did this summer, leaving his native Poland for a first experience abroad, in France.

''I mentally prepared myself for this side new''

More surprised, and suffering more from the scorching temperatures recorded than from the preparation itself. ''I have already made preparations even if, here, it is a bit new, defines the native of Krakow. I try to do my best. For me, what is new is the climate (smile). The first week was hard (he arrived on July 11, four days before the restart) but after that, it's normal. I try to feel as good as possible. It's hard for me, but it's OK. I prepared myself mentally for this new side.''
 

Quickly integrated into the game and very, very quickly in the locker room

'He's a Pole, very well educated.'' This was the first reaction of the USAM technician when talking about one of the recruits of the off-season, the coach praising his abilities adaptation: ''There, he devotes 3,000% of himself to handball. We must not forget that this is a first abroad, far from his family, and that he is only 22 years old. But he is very attentive, he integrates quickly into the systems and the project. I think it will go quite quickly. He is very well integrated into the game and very, very well integrated into the locker room because he is a very respectful boy, who already has a few words of French.''

Having spent a season with Kielce

Before arriving here, Sebastian Kaczor only knew France through handball. Having watched the Starligue on TV and having played (and lost, twice) against Nantes in the European League, last season, then under the colours of Gornik Zabzre.

This Polish club was Kaczor's third career in the Elite, after his first steps at SMS Gdansk (2019/2020) followed by a season, in 2020-2021, with the prestigious KS Kielce, winner of the Champions League in 2016, then three years at Gornik Zabrze.

''When I arrived in Kielce, something changed in my life, he recalls. It was very hard, there were a lot of experienced players. I waited for my chance but I needed to have some playing time, to take responsibility so I went to Zabrze.''

A new milestone to reach

The new milestone to be reached is called the Starligue, one of the two best club championships in the world: ''When I leave Zabrze, I know that my goal is to go abroad. I feel good here (three-year contract), Usam is a very family-oriented club. I had a good contact with the teammates, the staff too (he smiles while looking at Degouy, at his side).''
In addition to being teasing, the young man is ambitious for the Green team: ''We will work to be the best ranked. And we do “all in&rdquo on the top 3 (laughs).''

Usam – Chambéry, this Wednesday, August 21 at 7 p.m. at Parnasse, free

PRÉPARATION –After the setback and cancellation of the Cluj tournament (Romania), we are reorganizing, Usam side. ''On the sporting level, it is a real disappointment, notes the technician David Degouy. We had a match against Potaissa, or even against Dinamo Bucharest, with real European opposition.''

In the absence of, Nîmes will fight with ‘’French’. Not bad either, before the Starligue: ''We are in a rhythmic rise in the championship. It is my wish to have real oppositions, with clubs of character. Chambéry, this Wednesday at Parnasse (7pm, free entry), Saint-Raphaël, Friday there, before Istres (the 27th) and Toulouse (the 29th). This is a bit what will happen to us in the championship, so it will set the tone. We have 4 matches to gain momentum, in competition mode.''

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