Good habits do not change and sport continues to occupy your weekends. Le Parisien offers a selection of issues and details the events not to be missed in Île-de-France. Overview.
The derby to redeem oneself: Paris welcomes Ivry in a particular context
HANDBALL. In another era, this derby would have been considered a mere formality. Between PSG (2nd in Starligue) and Ivry (13th), there is a big gap at all levels. Only here: the Parisians took a beating Tuesday in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France against their biggest rival of the season, Montpellier. A meeting that left traces in morale and in the legs with the injury of Elohim Prandi whose unavailability is not yet specified. And as opposite Ivry continues to play its survival every day, we say to ourselves that the enormous surprise is perhaps not so far away… It will be above all an opportunity to see if PSG can pull themselves together before leaving. welcome the Hérault leader in two weeks in the title match, then to play the Germans of Kiel in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, on May 10 (in Germany) and May 17 (in Coubertin).
In Proligue, Tremblay (2nd) and Pontault (3rd) will play at least the play-offs for the climb in early June. They may be able to aim for 1st place (synonymous with climbing) at the end of the season, provided they have a string of victories and hoping that the other candidates leave their feathers there. That’s good: the Tremblaisiens go to Bordeaux (9th) and the Pontellois welcome Dijon … the leader.
The not-to-be-missed event: “Les Etoiles du Foil”
FENCING. After the fantastic summer at the world championships in Cairo, the CEMVS once again brings together the athletes who make foil shine. The event begins this Friday (7 p.m.) at the Safran Aeronautical and Space Museum in Réau (77) for the new edition of the “Stars of Fleuret” organized by CE Melun Val de Seine, represented by Enzo Lefort (double world champion in title) and Pauline Ranvier (vice-world champion).
This year again, gender equality is in the spotlight. Four teams in mixed relays will compete in a pool against the best of the ten touches and the first two teams will meet in a final in 10 touches. Will be present in particular the Olympic champion Cheung Ka Long, the Italian Camilla Mancini (world champion by team 2017) and the American Nick Itkin (winner of the International Challenge of Paris in 2020).
The next day, these champions will face hundreds of French and international fencers in two other very high-level competitions: the 5th Château de Couches tournament, an event on the women’s national foil circuit, and the famous Challenge Trois Moulins Habitat, an event of men’s foil on the national circuit, which this year will celebrate its 52nd edition. These two events will be played on Saturday and Sunday at the Tennis club of Melun and at the Jacques Marinelli sports complex (free entry).
The atmosphere: Paris Basketball back at the Accor Arena
BASKET. After filling Roland-Garros with 10,424 spectators against Monaco at the start of the season, then attracting 11,277 spectators to the Accor Arena in January against Asvel, Paris Basketball will once again create the event. This Sunday the club of the capital will find the hall of Bercy, the lair of the sports show, for the coming of Limoges. A mythical French basketball club which is preparing to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its title of European champion – the only one for French basketball.
Apart from the sporting duel, which promises to be undecided, the Parisian club has planned a program of choice to delight the spectators. Renamed “Africa Game”, the match will be preceded by a “gala” meeting presented by Tik Tok, Skweek and BET which will see two teams of personalities (Moundir, the Count of Bouderbala, Marvin Anthony, etc.). On each ticket sold, 1€ will be donated to the association Give Back Charity of Dadju which supports women victims of violence in Congo.
Former ephemeral player of the club during the 2020-2021 season, rapper Sheck Wes returns will be back but this time to ensure the show at halftime with a show case.
For a good cause: the Integrathlon, celebration of inclusion in sport
OMNISPORTS. The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games are looming on the horizon and related sporting events are multiplying. During Olympic week, participate this weekend in the Integrathlon, on the theme of inclusion in sport. On the program: raising awareness, sports and cultural activities, a torch relay, and walks accessible to all and free of charge.
The Integrathlon is a great sporting and cultural celebration that brings together able-bodied and disabled people, athletic or not, on the same grounds. Created more than 10 years ago, each year it federates the cities of Paris Terres d’Envol as well as the sports, cultural and inclusion actors of the territory.
Throughout the weekend, the associations of eight towns in Seine-Saint-Denis will receive the inhabitants and the curious in sports centers, depending on the activity of your choice. You will be able to learn judo, archery, and many other sports for free, whether you are able-bodied or have a disability, in Aulnay-sous-Bois, Drancy, le Blanc-Mesnil or Tremblay-en -France. To close this 2023 edition, a hike is organized in Sevran, departing from the Victor Hugo gymnasium, Sunday at 10 a.m. Two courses are proposed according to your desire: 3 or 5 kms.
The number: 3
BASKET. Like the number of victories that Nanterre has just gleaned during its last three outings in the league. Never have Pascal Donnadieu’s players experienced such a positive run this season. After beating Nancy (81-75), Pau (85-64) at home, they won (80-86) in Cholet (3rd). A pace that they will have to confirm this Saturday against Fos in a duel against a direct opponent for maintenance. If Nanterre has given itself some air in the standings thanks to its latest successes (14th), it remains under threat from the relegation zone. A victory against the current last in the championship, where the former Nantes pivot Jo Passave-Ducteil performs a last dance before hanging up the baskets, would allow Bastien Pinault’s partners to take a big – decisive – step towards maintenance.
The big comeback of the weekend: Le Ranelagh celebrates its 110th anniversary
BASEBALL. The oldest French club, which was reconstituted in 2021 with the support of the town hall of the 16th arrondissement, returns to the front of the stage with its first participation in the Parisian championship. It will be this Sunday against the Web’s of Noisy, in the heart of the Hippodrome d’Auteuil on the rugby ground of the Stade Français set up for the occasion (between 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., free entry). The Ranelagh registered in 2023 his team in the departmental championship to face the PUC, the Patriot’s, the ESC Paris15 and the Web’s.
After 7 friendly matches in 2022 and a public exhibition against the PUC on the grounds of the Hippodrome d’Auteuil last September, it is for these seasoned veterans to officially take up the bat again and this time for a full season. Of the thirty players recruited, there are now 10 different nationalities of baseball: North Americans (USA), South Americans (Mexico, Panama, Dominican Republic, Cuba) but also Australians, Koreans, Dutch, Japanese. Players for the most part who have practiced at a high level and who take up the challenge of resuming competition.
THE PROGRAM
BASKET. Betclic Elite (28th day): METROPOLITANS – Strasbourg (Saturday, 5 p.m., Marcel-Cerdan sports hall; NANTERRE – Fos (Saturday, 8 p.m., Maurice-Thorez sports hall); PARIS – Limoges (Sunday, 5 p.m., Accor Arena, Paris 12th).
HANDBALL. Liqui Moly Starligue (23rd day): CRETEIL – Toulouse (Friday, 8.30 p.m., Palais des sports R. Oubron); PARIS – IVRY (Saturday, 8 p.m., Pierre-de-Coubertin room). Proligue (24th day, Friday, 8.30 p.m.): Bordeaux – TREMBLAY; PONTAULT – Dijon (Espace Boisramé); MASSY – Caen (Pierre-de-Coubertin sports centre).
RUGBY. Pro D2 (27th day): Provence – MASSY (Friday, 7.30 p.m.).
VOLLEY. Women’s A League (26th and last day): Cannes – STADE FRANCAIS PARIS ST-CLOUD (Saturday, 8 p.m.); France Avenir 2024 – LEVALLOIS (Saturday, 8 p.m.).