Calais proved too strong for Amiens Métropole Volley-Ball this Saturday, February 28th, delivering a decisive 3-0 defeat to the team as they faced a challenging opponent near the top of the Élite masculine standings. The loss underscores the difficulty Amiens faces when competing against the league’s leading teams, despite a recent run of positive form since the end of November.
The match, played in Calais, saw the home side—currently third in the league with 42 points—control the tempo from the outset. Amiens coach Ali Nouaour acknowledged a degree of regret regarding the closing stages of each set, hinting at missed opportunities to secure a more favorable result. “I have a little regret about the end of sets,” Nouaour stated, according to reporting from Le Courrier Picard.
Despite a competitive start in the first set, reaching an 18-18 tie, Amiens ultimately faltered, allowing Calais to take control. Nouaour noted that his players demonstrated “more aggressive in all compartments” in the second set (scores of 5-8, 11-14, and 15-18), but a breakdown in cohesion proved costly. “And there, we watch each other play, we take an ace, a ball in the conflict zone, it gets scattered, it gets angry,” he lamented, describing a frustrating pattern of unforced errors.
A Coach Forced to Play Amidst Absences
The third set saw Amiens fall behind significantly, trailing by eight points at one stage. Whereas the return of players Hachemi and Philippe sparked a brief resurgence, bringing the score to 22-20, it wasn’t enough to overcome Calais’ momentum. The defeat was compounded by a significant number of absences within the Amiens squad, forcing coach Ali Nouaour to even take to the court himself.
Key players missing from the lineup included Nordine Sio, Mihail Corabieru, Djamel Abboub, Djabir Dour, and Abdoul-Haniyou Hamidou, according to Le Courrier Picard. Nouaour acknowledged the fatigue factor, stating, “We never let go but there is fatigue.”
Despite the setback, Nouaour remained pragmatic, suggesting that this defeat might be a beneficial learning experience. “It is better that this breakdown happens now than against the teams within our reach,” he said, indicating a focus on preparing for upcoming matches against more evenly matched opponents.
Amiens currently sits tenth in the standings with 21 points. The team anticipates a boost in morale and performance with the return of players who were unavailable for the Calais match, particularly ahead of their next challenging fixture.
Looking Ahead to Maizières-lès-Metz
The next test for Amiens will be an away game against Maizières-lès-Metz, the league’s current runner-up, on March 7th. This promises to be another demanding encounter, but Nouaour hopes the team can build on lessons learned from the Calais defeat and capitalize on the expected return of key personnel. The reserve team will not be playing the same weekend, which should allow for a more rested and focused squad to travel to Metz.
CALAIS – AMIENS: 3-0
Sets: 25-20, 25-19, 25-21
AMIENS MVB: Tizit, Philippe, Carrat, Hachemi (c), Corosine, Boissinot, Mizingou, Villaume, Ilouoni, Nouaour.
The Amiens Métropole Volley-Ball team will undoubtedly be looking to regroup and refine their strategy as they prepare for the challenges ahead in the Élite masculine league. The upcoming match against Maizières-lès-Metz will be a crucial test of their resilience and ability to compete against the top teams in the division.
Share your thoughts on the match and the team’s prospects for the rest of the season in the comments below.
