Volleyball: Hyères-Pierrefeu-La Londe crowned French National 2 champion

A consecration that was almost expected. The players of VC Hyères-Pierrefeu-La Londe yesterday became French National 2 champions, at the end of the final four they organized in La Londe.

"It's a title that will last. There are players who will never experience these kinds of intense moments and for many, it will remain the match of their lives," acknowledged coach Michaël Lapinta after the final, won 3-1 against Bellaing-Porte du Hainaut, a club from a village near Valenciennes.

Already promoted to the Elite and a finalist in the French Federal Cup (a first for a N2 club), the VCHPL therefore ended its season in style. "I couldn't have dreamed of a better ending," Lapinta confirmed.

Packed to the rafters on Saturday for the semi-finals (the locals had dominated Maizières-les-Metz 3 sets to 1), the François de Leusse gymnasium was once again packed yesterday afternoon. It was the scene of an explosive final between two undefeated teams in their championship (20 matches, 20 wins). Baptiste Enfoux's teammates took the first set by force (26-24), after 36 minutes of intense duel. They dominated from the start, but afterward, each team had its chance. After trailing 20-15, the Northerners came back to within a single point. But in front of a supercharged crowd, the VCHPL found the resources to conclude.

A second set with more than sixty points!

In the second set, where everything seemed to be going well for the Varois (20-15), Bellaing's reaction was terrible. What followed was a real mano a mano, finally won 32-30 by the visitors, who, after saving two set points, brought the two teams back to equality. But the VCHPL, who have never doubted this season, pocketed the third set without contest (25-18). To the great joy of a crowd, standing and pumped up by a top-notch venue manager.

Bellaing fought back in a fourth set where every point counted. Each team traded blow for blow, right up until the final rallies. With the tension at its peak, Jérémy Ullmann's teammates took advantage of their home court advantage to close the gap at 25-21 and avoid a tiebreak. Because they couldn't pass up the chance of a lifetime: to become French champions on home soil. And to lift a more than deserved trophy.