After qualifying for the final, the presidents of the two finalist clubs, Christophe Lévêque (Meyzieu) and Miriam Romero Larrea (PUC), agreed to answer our questions. We asked them about their journey, their ambitions, and their vision ahead of the decisive clash.
- What have you put in place this year to reach the level of the final?
- You work extensively with the JFL. How do you plan to outperform your opponents?
- Have you planned to broadcast the matches?
- What about Division 1? Are you ready to bounce back?
The final schedule in a best-of-five series.
Christophe Lévêque, Meyzieu
We’re not surprised to be in the final: we’ve been working towards this for seven years. The club has had 140 licensed players since 2018. We focus a lot on youth, and our team is mostly made up of JFL players. If you look at our batteries, they’re all JFL: pitcher and catcher.
We’ll be celebrating our 50th anniversary in three years, and the club’s collective life is very important to us. We’re not really surprised to have pulled off this feat, even though we weren’t favorites in the semi-final against Valenciennes. We’re very proud of this result and happy to be heading to the final against the PUC.
Our field is a very stable multi-sport facility that allows us to train all year round. The D2 team trains three times a week, sometimes more. The players don’t always need the coach to work: it’s a true collective effort that’s driven by determination.
As for Division 1, we’re not asking ourselves that question yet. The goal is the final. Moving up to D1 would require necessary changes, but it’s mainly a matter of desire, shared by all the volunteers and players in the club. We’ll talk about it again after the final.
As for broadcasting, we’re covering the matches in Meyzieu as we did two years ago. We had to take a break this year due to a lack of volunteers, but it’s clear that broadcasting is an excellent way to improve our visibility. When you look at other clubs like us that are working to progress and move up—Béziers, Metz, Clermont—you realize it’s essential.
We prepared well for the semi-final against Valenciennes. We’re used to going to Italy to train with a club that has helped us and will continue to do so. We prepared for three matches in particular. The final, now, is a best-of-five series: it’s a different ball game, but spread over two weekends, two to three matches. So we’re ready for that, especially since the last three matches will be in Meyzieu.
Miriam Romero Larrea – PUC (Paris Université Club)
It was the watchword for our team this season. The technical director bet on a young team, a renewal that many doubted. Reaching the final is the result of this new phase. Don’t forget that 70% of the team’s players are trained at the club, which fosters teamwork and symbiosis. These are not negligible tools for winning.
Pietro Briggi, the team manager, has shown patience, prepared his team, motivated them, but also studied his opponents to exploit their weaknesses. This has been key to reaching this level.
We are indeed putting in place means for broadcasting the matches and will keep you informed shortly.
To bounce back to Division 1, I think we need to stay cautious. The first objective is to win our matches in Paris, then continue this momentum in the return matches.
