Amiens Métropole Volley-Ball Falls to Calais Despite Strong Performance

The Amiens Métropole Volley-Ball team saw their nine-match series reach to an end with a 3-0 loss against Calais. Despite a competitive showing in all three sets, the Samarians were unable to secure a point against the third-ranked team in the championship.

A Hard-Fought Battle

Traveling to Calais, which had only suffered one defeat at home this season, proved to be a significant challenge for Ali Nouaour’s team. “In the first set, it was a great battle. We give in blow for blow but we mentally break down at the end of the round (25-20),” explained Nouaour.

The team adjusted their strategy in the second set, improving their serve and defensive block, taking a lead of 15-18. However, Calais regained control to win the set (25-19). “In the second set, it was a different team. We served much better, we destabilized them more in reception, we were able to set up our defensive block. We were leading (15-18) but Calais controlled the end of the set better to get back in front,” Nouaour stated.

Struggles in the Third Set and Workforce Concerns

The third set saw the Eagles falter, despite attempts to rally with substitutions from Aymeric Philippe and Mehdi Hachemi. “We started to lower our heads. We tried a poker game by bringing in Aymeric Philippe et Mehdi Hachemi which worked quite well. We started to scratch to get back to (22-20) but behind we are bowing (25-21),” reported Ali Nouaour.

A key factor in the defeat was the disparity in player numbers, with AMVB fielding only nine players compared to Calais’s twelve. This physical disadvantage was particularly noticeable towards the end of each set. “We really need to work on the end of sets because despite the score, what we offered with a reduced squad is rather positive […] I’m obviously a little disappointed because I think we could have scratched something […] It’s up to us to raise our heads,” affirmed Nouaour.

The team faces continued uncertainty regarding Djamel Abboub’s availability, potentially requiring reinforcements from the Nationale 2 league. “We will have to find solutions because we need to increase our workforce. We are lucky that Nationale 2 is not playing, so maybe we will look for 2-3 players capable of rotating.”

Looking Ahead to Maizières

Despite the setback, Nouaour remains optimistic, focusing on the upcoming match against Maizières. “We will play Maizières first and we will make a point afterwards. Behind it, there is a second championship which will start (for us) with teams within our reach. We are not alarmed […] If we start to place pressure on ourselves eight days before the end of the championship, we will play trembling, and that is not in my interest.”

Nouaour believes the match against Maizières will be a challenging one, noting their strong record with only one defeat against Harnes. However, he remains confident, citing their previous competitive performance against the team at home. He also noted that results from other matches involving direct competitors for maintaining their position in the league could be favorable.

Match Details

Elite Championship, 18th day

Loisirs Inter Sport Saint Pierre Calais (3rd, 42 pts) – AMVB (10th, 21 pts): 3-0 [(25-20) (25-19) (25-21)]

Photo credit: Alexis Cazeel – GazetteSports.fr