Rejuvenated by its success, the first, against Joeuf (80-73), after three defeats in as many meetings, La Charité did not cure all its ills. It will still be necessary to fight in a small committee, Saturday, October 10 (8 p.m.), in Metz. But the heads are lighter, starting with that of Rudy Joly, the Canadian-Haitian interior (2.07 m, 28 years old).
“It is gradually taking its marks. The acclimatization was a bit hard, it took a long time to integrate the environment of the club ”, explains Fabien Anthonioz. “With the departure of Chris [Covile], he found himself the only foreigner. But I saw smiles in training, enthusiasm. If the head is fine, the rest will follow, ”asure the charity trainer.
A battle inside
Faced with a team that relies on a strong indoor sector, like the Florent Piétrus monument, Fabien Anthonioz will have to count on an excellent Rudy Joly to snatch a first victory away from home. Like La Charité, the Metz team lost some of its splendor behind the 3-point line. The danger comes especially from the racket, “where it promises a good fight,” announces Stéphane Frentzel, who can count since the last meeting, a defeat at WOSB (78-59), on the return of A’uston Calhoun, to Dax (NM1) during the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
Florent Piétrus is playing fair, has the right positions. So facing such a player is a source of motivation.
Better armed on paper, in quantity and a priori in quality with regard to CVs despite the departure of its American gunner Matthew Lee, Metz will not so easily impress his opponent. “Pietrus, I respect. But on the floor, I have to show that it’s up to me to see higher now, ”smiles the Charitois Arsone Mendy, used as a winger or inside depending on the rotations. “Florent Piétrus is playing fair, has the right placements”, recognizes Fabien Anthonioz. “So facing such a player is a source of motivation. “
230 selections for the French team
The Cannoniers de Metz (one victory, two defeats) struck a blow by recruiting, shortly before the start of the championship, this figure of French basketball: Florent Piétrus (2.02 m, 39 years old). The strong winger with 230 selections with the Blues, five-time international medalist, finished his professional career with Orléans in 2020. But took up a license in NM2, with the Lorraine club.
What to get closer to his family and to have more time to prepare for his post-career as a player. After two matches played, the triple champion of France (with Pau Orthez, in 2001, 2003 and 2004) turns at 11.5 points on average. “And he serves as my relay. The message gets twice, ”appreciates Stéphane Frentzel, his trainer.
Owen Gourdin
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