In the space of two weeks, the Black Panthers of Thonon will play two semi-finals in two different competitions: the CEFL European Cup and the French Championship.
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Today at 17:01 | updated today at 17:01
Thonon’s Black Panthers are having a perfect season so far. After twelve contested meetings, Larry Legault’s men are still undefeated. This great performance allows the Chablais residents to still feature in the two competitions they are involved in: the French Championship in the first elite division and the CEFL European Cup.
On both points, Thononais is preparing to play the semi-finals. First this Saturday 3 June on the European stage with a perilous trip to the reigning German champion and two-time European champion, Unicorns of Schwabish Hall. Then Saturday, June 17, on the French battlefield, against Toulouse or Tours.
As the president Benoit Sirouet prepares these two meetings, admits two different objectives: “We have to prepare the semi-finals as we prepared the other matches, because it is a recipe that works. We will play the CEFL European Cup without pressure, because we have already won everything by reaching this level. For the players it’s a bit like if Thonon Evian (N2 football) had to face OM had to face this team from Schwabish Hall, which is the most prestigious in Europe. It’s a big structure, reigning German and European champion. It will be a great celebration for the players because it’s moments like this that we expect in a career. After all, our players will definitely want to win this game! For the prestige of the club, it’s great and it puts Thonon back in the spotlight on the map of American football in Europe. »
“We can’t win all the games of the season and lose this one!”
Expectations are completely different regarding the future semi-final of the French championship. “It is different, we must not lose. You can’t win every game of the season and lose this one! We don’t know our opponent yet, but I hope to receive the Toulouse Bears, whose coach Stéphane Murat is a friend. We beat them in the wild card last year, 41-0.
If the players perform well, it is also thanks to the valuable work carried out daily by the medical staff made up of 12 professionals and managed on a voluntary basis by doctor Jean-Michel Leroy. Its goal is to quickly take care of injuries so that the workforce remains on its feet during this difficult end of the season for the organizations. The mental preparation suggested by Nicolas Leblanc will certainly also have a significant impact during the decisive matches that await the Black Panthers.
