Volleyball: Marianne-92 heroically beat Mulhouse and reached the final of the French championship

They went to the end, moved heaven and earth to win a battle of unprecedented cruelty. This Friday evening at the Marcel-Cerdan Sports Palace in Levallois, the Marianne 92 team beat Mulhouse in five sets (23-25, 25-20, 25-21, 22-25, 15-10) and qualified for the tournament. Women’s League A final. The end of an epic streak that culminated in this support match.

Against the Alsatian ogre, a finalist in the French Championship for the last three seasons, Levallois Paris Saint-Cloud will be stronger when the time comes to complete the titanic battle. For the first time in its history, the Ile-de-France team goes beyond the semi-final stage and gives itself a chance to snatch the title.

Monstrous Defense

“Damn, this is good!” “, – Juliette Gelin relishes. The Parisian libero fought hard on the field, always remaining true to her fighting spirit. “I’m so proud of the team. We didn’t win this match individually, it was a collective performance. We have so much confidence. We won the tiebreaker, we know what adversity is. »

However, Marianna 92 ​​lost in the first set. After leading for a long time, Paris achieved the winning time when it was time to score the most important points (23-25). But by showing courage, Alessandro Orefice’s players, strong in principles, turned the tables. Namely, a steel defense embodied by libero Juliette Gelin, impeccable in her techniques, and center Candelaria Herrera, who distributed counter-attacks at goal.

In an exceptional match marked by numerous, sometimes endless, rallies, Marianna 92 ​​were able to count on the fervor of their audience. More than 1,200 spectators filled the stands of the Marseille-Cerdan sports center and were overcome by a demonic collapse after the points scored by PSG.

Despite three other difficult sets, the Ile-de-France players used their resources as if driven by the dream of the final. The second set was won with a comfortable lead (25-20), as was the third (25-21). Even if they repelled a set point in the fourth, they eventually gave up (22-25).

In a thrilling tiebreaker, Mulhouse relied on their formidable American striker Carly Snyder. But, despite the crushing attacks of the latter, Levallois Paris Saint-Cloud held firm. Once again, the active defense of the Ile-de-France women led them to success (15-10).

In the final, Marianne will compete with Nantes, the leader of the regular season and a big favorite this season. The first match of the series will take place on Tuesday, April 23, in Levallois, the second – three days later in Loire-Atlantique. The Parisians, who are finalists and qualify for next season’s Champions League, have the right to dream big.

Alessandro Orefice, coach of Levallois Paris Saint-Cloud, is already thinking only about the final: “We have done something historic for the club. I asked the girls to stick together, to give every last drop of blood. This evening (Friday), we are not going to celebrate, we are already thinking about the match with Nantes. Tomorrow (SATURDAY), we have an appointment at 9 am for a video session. Anything can happen in the final between the two strongest teams in the championship. »