Volleyball: Montpellier alumni explain how to win a Coupe de France semi-final

Julien Lyneel lors de la finale 2010 contre Tours. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

Before the meeting between Stade Poitevin and MHSC VB this Tuesday (8 p.m.), some Montpellier residents who won the 2008 and 2010 Coupe de France semi-finals testify.

Since the beginning of its history in 1941, Montpellier has never won the Coupe de France. Recently, he reached the final twice when the last four was still played in the final four format.

Sébastien Tournier is one of the few to have participated in the two victorious semi-finals in 2008 against Tours (3-0) and in 2010 against Nice (3-1). The passer remembers it perfectly: "I gave the pre-match speech in the locker room in 2010. I said it was exceptional to’ rsquo;to reach the semi-final, that it doesn't happen often, that we shouldn't have any regrets and leave everything on the pitch."

Josserand: "Be confident and prudent"

At the time, the Montpellier coach was Arnaud Josserand, now stationed in the Czech Republic: "The final lost in 2008 against Beauvais is the biggest trauma of my career. In the semi-final we eliminated Tours after a match led from start to finish. Against Beauvais, we led 2 sets at 0 and 19-16 in the third set before losing in the tie-break."

Two years later, Julien Lyneel is a young player aged 20: "We won this half on talent, he says jokingly. Against Nice, we had more strike force, our sharp had an anthology match."

But then, according to them, can Montpellier beat Poitiers this Tuesday evening and reach a new final, next March 30 at the Halle Carpentier in Paris ? "I am very enthusiastic, I'm not very objective but I see them going all the way,” exclaims Lyneel. "The favorite must be careful, warns Josserand. In the Cup, these are matches for the challengers. Montpellier shows beautiful things. They have the weapons to win. But Poitiers in its room which looks like a small cauldron with its fervent supporters… You have to be confident but be cautious."
 

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