Badminton
Reigning French champion, Red Star Mulhouse Badminton is approaching this season with an unprecedented status and still the same demanding state of mind. The point, on the eve of the fifth day of Interclubs, which will pit the Mulhouses against the undefeated leader, ASPTT Strasbourg (Saturday December 13).
After a mixed start (two victories for two defeats), Mulhouse plays big, Saturday December 13, in Strasbourg.
―Catherine Kohler
A first in its history! Reigning French champion, the Red Star Mulhouse Badminton launched into this new season with an unprecedented status. “But that in no way changes our state of mind on the pitch,” underlines Pascal Ziegler, president of the Mulhouse club. The real change this season is the departure of Thom Gicquel (editor’s note: European champion in mixed doubles), after seven years of good and loyal service. “By his ranking, his experience too, he was the natural leader of our team. With Arnaud (Merklé), he was one of our two bosses. Beyond being a sportsman, Thom had his own way of managing the group and its emotions. We find ourselves orphans. »
A mixed start to the season, but full of hope
Fears were inevitable as the first day of the championship approached. However, the team showed that it could be formidable, when it was in full force: a first day won 7-1 at home against Union Saint-Bruno, then a 6-2 success on the grounds of Volant Airois. The following matches were more complicated in the absence of the internationals, with a defeat at Aix (7-1), then a 3-5 setback at home against Rostrenen. “We still take the point of the defensive bonus which, in my opinion, will be important”, underlines Pascal Ziegler. First objective: move up to second place in the group, synonymous with qualification for the play-offs. From there, all dreams remain allowed. “Retaining the title, on paper, seems complicated, but no one expected us last season either. Everything can be decided over two matches! But we are far from there yet. Our pool is very homogeneous and anything can happen. This qualification will have to be sought. »
A team built for the long term
Play-off objective for RS Mulhouse Badminton.
―Catherine Kohler
The identity of this group is unique to Red Star. The team was built seven years ago around Arnaud Merklé, a pure product of the club, and Thom Gicquel. “The idea was to bring together these two friends, from the same generation,” remembers Pascal Ziegler. Bet successful! If the internationals spend their week at INSEP, the rest of the collective benefits from the “sparring” of two Indonesians, recruited to boost the club’s young players, but also to complete the group during the Interclub teams. In-depth work carried out since 2018, which bore fruit in 2022 with a first participation in the play-offs for the Red Star which played in Top 12 for ten years already, without ever reaching this last square. And then the Holy Grail arrived last season, with this famous title.
An explosive derby in sight
The next day already promises to be exciting… On December 13 at 3 p.m., Red Star (4th with 13 points) will play – in full force – at their Strasbourg counterpart. With 18 points on the clock, theASPTT Strasbourg occupies first place in this group 1 of Top 12. With three victories and a draw, the Bas-Rhin group has still not experienced defeat this season. But Arnaud Merklé and his teammates could well redistribute the cards… Champion yesterday, outsider today: the Red Star advances without certainty, but with an intact conviction: that the most beautiful stories just ask to be replayed.
By Emilie Jafrate
+ info on https://rsmb.fr/
Published yesterday at 9:39 a.m. | Updated yesterday at 11:25 a.m.
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