In Focus: MONTPELLIER HSC VB
Montpellier HSC VB are the absolute CEV Champions League - Men rookies. For the first time in their history, they will be battling it out in the #CLVolleyM, and their journey in Europe’s premier club competition starts on November 10, when they will visit as guests the 2007 trophy winners of VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN.
Being in Pool A, in the company of the German powerhouse, the Polish stars of JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel and the Serbian hopes of Vojvodina NS Seme NOVI SAD, will definitely make it a difficult mission for the French to make it past the 4th round. However, this is the #CLVolleyM and surprises are all around.
The French League
Montpellier HSC VB compete in the French LNV Ligue A Masculine (LAM) - the top men's volleyball league in France, established in 1938. The team from southern France is the most recent champion, after claiming the title in 2022. It was a historic achievement for Montpellier, as their last trophy was back in 1975.
They also started pretty well this season, winning the Supercup back in September. The players of head coach Olivier Lecat met on the court the team of Chaumont, and won that match 3-1. It is worth mentioning the fact that they showed great resilience in the fourth set, winning it in extra time 30-28. This mental strength might very well help them in the important and tough Champions League matches as well. The better attack was the key to the success in this game (56 to 50), as on the other compartments, Chaumont edged Montpellier (six to five aces; eight to five blocks). And while it would be difficult to predict if a more successful attacking could become the trump card for Montpellier in the #CLVolleyM, it's something that might cause troubles to their opponents.
However, Montpellier have not been performing that good in the League matches so far. They have played in four matches, and have lost three of them (information as per after the Round 4 matches). The good news for their fans is that the only victory so far came on October 22, in Round 4, meaning that the team might be speeding up.
Théo Faure has been a key player for Montpellier this season. He grabbed the MVP award in the match against Nice Volley-ball and is currently ffifth in the Best attackers rankings - with four matches, 15 sets, and 82 points to his name.
Faure was named Most Valuable Player in the match for the Supercup, where he scored 15 points.
The European Volleyball Stage
Montpellier’s best achievement in their history is the bronze medal they won in the 1988 edition of the CEV Cup.
In their most recent history, in 2021, they played in the CEV Volleyball Cup and finished it in third place. Not so good was their performance in 2022, where they finished 9th. In the 2022 16th finals, they met Olympiacos PIRAEUS and won 3-0 in the home match, and 3-2 in the away match. In the 8th finals, they lost twice in straight sets to Kuzbass Kemerovo of Russia.
Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist Ezequiel Palacios of Argentina is a player that opponents might look out for. Captain Palacios contributed a lot in 2021, when he became his team’s second-best scorer in the competition - by registering 40 points in four matches.
The other teams should not forget that Olympic champion Nicolas Le Goff has been part of the Montpellier team in the past seasons. The middle blocker can for sure make it difficult on the net for his #CLVolleyM rivals.
Will the French deliver any big surprises?
Watch #CLVolleyM live on EuroVolley.TV.