Water polo: Marseille defeats Noisy-le-Sec to win its 41st French title

On cue, the Marseille substitutes grabbed their coach and threw him into the pool at the Olympic Aquatic Center (CAO) in Saint-Denis to celebrate their crushing 17-8 victory. A few minutes later, the Marseille players and their opponents from Noisy-le-Sec emerged from the pool and began applauding in front of a captivated audience of around 1,500 spectators. History repeats itself.

For the fourth year in a row, Marseille Swimming won the French water polo title this Wednesday evening during the last test event at the CAO ahead of the Paris Olympic Games. And he defeated Cercle 93 Noisy-le-Sec for the fourth time in a row. Solid and efficient, the Marseilles outclassed their opponents. After a balanced start (2-2, 3rd), Blues star Thomas Vernoux and his teammates upped the tempo to take a six-goal lead (2-8) at the break and then a seven-goal lead early in the third quarter. e place. . The meeting is over. The Marseilles continue their sixty-year reign over French water polo with their 41st title.

“I managed to get my bearings during these two days of preparation for the Games”

Like the France-US women’s friendly on Monday night and the Final Four semi-final on Tuesday, the France final attracted large crowds for the first time and even foreign tourists such as Thomas, a 63-year-old man. An American is on holiday in France with his wife and two grandchildren. “I love this sport because one of my grandchildren plays it. The timber-framed architecture of the CAO is stunning and of the highest quality. »

Players appreciated this support from the public, both winners and losers. “It was great to be able to share our sport with the public, it’s the best thing. “We improvised the applause with the Marseillais because we wanted to create a good image for water polo,” explains Remy Saudadier, leader of Noisy-le-Sec and the Blues. Marcel was too strong in this match. We are a small club with few resources compared to our rivals. They have about twenty players, and we only have nine.”

“We always stayed focused because this team beat us in the championship for the first time in four years,” says Thomas Vernoux, who will return during the Olympics to lead the Blues. We are very pleased with the new title we have acquired in this magnificent pool. During these two days of preparation for the Paris Olympics, I managed to get my bearings on a lot. Being able to play high stakes matches here is an advantage. In less than three months, the stands will fill even more. It makes you want. »