Thanks to two resounding successes in Saint-Nazaire and against Poitiers, Montpellier has got back on track

Dimitrov félicité par Tomas Lopez. Midi Libre – Michael Esdourrubailh

Le MHSC VB se déplace à Cannes, samedi (19h) avec l’ambition de signer une troisième victoire de suite.

When they play at this level, damn, this team is beautiful. Three days after beating the French champion on their home court in Saint-Nazaire (3-0), Montpellier repeated the performance against Stade Poitevin, the team of Earvin Ngapteh, the greatest player in the history of French volleyball.

On Tuesday, they conceded only 48 points in three sets and committed only one small mistake in attack. Unplayable.

So, when it came time to react after the match, coach Loic Le Marrec had a big smile on his face. His team is back after a bad spell in November (4 defeats in five matches): “We're on a great run, we're showing our face from the start of the season again,” he said. “I take into account the two victories but also the defeat against Toulouse (2-3) because we were starting our transformation. Against Poitiers, the team was solid in all areas of the game. I'm super proud of the players, it's the result of hard work and questioning, it's paying off and I'm very happy for them.”

“I know the value of men”

Already at the start of the season, MHSC VB showed that it was capable of this kind of XXL performance. “I didn't necessarily have any doubts, I know the value of the men,” continues the Hérault coach. They never settle for a low level. Maybe a less good time will come again but when the guys take charge and play with confidence, they are capable of this kind of performance.”

A shining symbol of this revival, the young Bulgarian point Dimitar Dimitrov (22 years old) was elected man of the match against Poitiers. Although he often shows irregularity, he is also able to place himself above the scrum. “He's still young, he's discovering the French championship for his second season, notes Le Marrec. When he's not in good physical shape, it's harder for him. This Tuesday evening, he was magnificent. Maybe at the beginning of the year he'll be even less in good physical shape, but by working hard and gaining experience, he'll be more consistent over the course of a season.”

Saturday (7 p.m.) in Cannes, Dimitrov and his teammates hope to win to cut five days (from December 20 to 25) in second place in the rankings. And to stay on a good impression before hosting Narbonne, at the Palais des sports de Castelnau, on December 29 at 5 p.m.

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