07.10.2008, 11:30
Chambery: perfect start

Coach Philippe Gardent is positive about the form of the team.

Chambery: perfect start

When your team beats a historic club of the Champions League, of course you are happy and satisfied. This happened to Philippe Gardent too. The coach of the French Chambery Savoie opened their CL season with a 37-30 victory against Slovenian Celje.

This will be the first season for Chambery after the retirement of Jackson Richardson, a mythical star of European handball. However, the French club are in great form and the players stepped on court with great confidence.

“I know that the team were in good form,” Gardent said after the game. “Natek and Bertrand Roine were doing well at trainings, but we had to prove this at an official game. I was happy that we could do it this weekend,” Gardent added.

The tactical scheme worked out by Gardent was put into practice perfectly against the Slovenians.

“I put all the pieces together and it worked. It is really a pleasure for a coach. At halftime I told my players to be more aggressive in defence and stop the attacks coming from the right side. We were physically better. It is a perfect start for us in this tournament and for the entire season”.

The time has come for Chambery to show their real value on this level. Granitas Kaunas and Creteil are coming up for them in the Champions League and in the French League.

Gardent is not worried about it:

“This rhythm never caused us problems.We played against Kiel two seasons ago and after that we had a perfect period in that December. I prefer to be under constant pressure in this competition and improve gradually.”

TEXT: Fernando Urra Goni