TABLE TENNIS (Pro B) Arnaud Sellier: “We were relieved in Saint-Denis, now we are happy!”

For the last of the year at home and the last of Nicolas Burgos, ASTT won against Fouras 3-1. A first at home that made the Labaume room explode with joy. The only downside is Nicolas Burgos' season ending due to hip surgery.

At the opening of the meeting, Santiago Lorenzo, French number 108, faced the Chilean Marcos Madrid, French number 101. Overall a controlled match (11-7, 11-2, 5-11, 11-3) despite a little scare in the third set. He managed to play without complexes, as if free from all pressure. ASTT took the lead: 1-0. For the second match, Benjamin Fruchart, French No. 123, faced Andrea Landrieu, French No. 61. Despite losing the first set to the bone (7-11), he managed to win the next three sets: 11- 8, 11-3, 11-8. A high-level performance, of which the table tennis player is aware: “I've started playing really well over the past three weeks. […] My playing level is really good, really top. »

In Pro B he has three consecutive wins. His trainer, Arnaud Sellier, is full of praise for him: “Benjamin has a different playing system than the others. He is unimpressive and not very expressive at the table. It may seem like he's not that good, but that's definitely not the case! It has everything you need to play ping pong well. He feels the ball well, serves and delivers very well. He is very intelligent when he plays. » At this precise moment, ASTT was leading 2-0 and Denis Dorcescu, French No. 130, entered the field of play to try to finish the match. He faced Paul Gauzy, Frenchman No. 102. The Octopus lost 7-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-8. For the Amiens coach, “It was a little more difficult, but his opponent also played very well. » Denis Dorcescu did not stand out against a table tennis player of the highest level. Fouras returned to an ASTT victory.

For this decisive match, Santiago Lorenzo returned to the table. The same goes for Andrea Larieu. A match of “four” in which the Octopus won the match and the meeting in style: 8-11, 12-10, 13-11, 11-9. The Amiens technician adds: “Santiago is behind 10-5, he is on a set point. He shouldn't win this matchbut on the other hand, he lost games early in the season that he shouldn't have lost. It will do his morale good. » Indeed, in the second set, the local team was down 5-10 before being struck by the grace of the table tennis gods. He scores seven points in a row and wins the set 12-10 !

A brilliant set from the Argentinian, a little too late this year. He tells us: “The season was a bit difficult for me, I was never able to play at my best level. I think this is the first competition where I feel at a good level. The mind is good for the future, to make good decisions and fight. » After the meeting, Arnaud Sellier admitted to us that he “returned to Santiago last year with a lot of energy and desire. » A promising return before the end of the season, auto “We need Santiago at this level to maintain our position. »

The contract is fulfilled and “The most important thing is that the team won and that everyone is getting back on track little by little. » As the coach notes: “That's what this professional team is for. It serves to share beautiful emotions. […] It's fleeting, but these are good times. »

A victory that everyone is happy with

Over nine months of waiting to relive a home winand as Arnaud Sellier says: “We were relieved in Saint-Denis, we are happy there! » Benjamin Fruchart tells us: “The victory in Labaume Hall is incredible. It's a first time for me. Frankly incredible, whether for the club or in relation to the atmosphere. It's great for the team and for the future. » The entire Amiens team is unanimous : “It will be good for our morale. » The Argentinian twirler confides to us: “It's very important for me, I've been playing in France for a year and a half, I now know almost all the Pro B clubs JI don't think I've seen one like that. It's not just about the number of spectators, but also about the way they sing and share their joy this is very important to us. »

The maintenance will be done via play-downs

The entire team agrees: maintenance is done by the play downs. According to Arnaud Sellier, “Maintenance is a priori impossible. We had an almost unplayable match against Bruille. We're too late. For me it is dead, but what is good is that we are regaining confidence for the decisive matches in February and March. We prove that we can compete with anyone. » The bad news of the evening is the end of Nicolas Burgos' season due to hip surgery, and he will be out for six months. News that the club “We knew it from the beginning, but we didn't tell you (laughs). » The ASTT returns after the holidays, on January 15, with a trip to Miramas. The last match of the regular competition is on February 1 at home against Bruille.

Cyprien Baude
Photo credit: Léandre Leber – Gazettesports.fr

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