SCHILTIGHEIM - Who sounded the alarm bells for the Agipi team when it was urgently needed and the star team seemed to be off for the final? Was it Marco Zanetti, who always stands up when it really matters. Was it a sign from the audience, for example, from the team captain? There was the fear of a sudden elimination and loss of the French title.
Maybe there is was no need for signaling and did two top players just need a warning from two other top guns in the arena.
Agipi was playing against Laxou, in the semifinals of the championship, it was 2-2 at the break, as Jérémy Bury had defeated Pierre Soumagne (50-33 in 26) and Jean Christophe Roux had lost against Eric Kremer-Leclaire (50-37 in 28) in the first part.
Two excellent matches, for sure, a draw at the break, only four caroms profit for Agipi. With two top matches to go: Frédéric Caudron-Torbjörn Blomdahl and Marco Zanetti-Martin Horn.
And the job for the two Agipi leaders was not an easy one at all. When the match between Zanetti and Horn was still in balance (14-14), Blomdahl built up a big margin at the other table. The Suede ran to 23-14, then to 32-15 (after 15 innings) and even 36-20 after 21 innings.
The champion team was in dire need, but suddenly the home players sprang to life. Marco Zanetti took a 22-14 lead with a run of eight and ran out to 35-19 in the 19th inning with a run of eleven.
And Frédéric Caudron, inspired by the sprint of his teammate, grew to his high level almost at the same moment. He came from 36-20 behind back to 36-28 with a run of eight, continued with a five run (from 44-39 to 44-44) and finished the match in the 29th with a run of six (50 -44).
The multiple European champion so reached the final, in which they play against Andernos tomorrow (Sunday) (13.30 and 15.30). The battle for third place starts at 9.00.
All matches will be broadcasted live on Kozoom for Premium pass holders.