A surprise French champion in 2023-2024, the Parisian club is determined to repeat the feat. Despite a major overhaul of the squad, coach Alessandro Orefice believes in his mission.
In sport, as in many other fields, the hardest thing is not getting to the top, but staying there. Whereas last season, Le Cannet - the defending champion - Mulhouse and Nantes were the odds-on favourites for the national crown, Levallois Paris almost came out of nowhere with Slovakian Karin Palgutová and Argentines Candelaria Herrera and Bianca Cugno. Of this national crown, only the latter "survived" the summer moves, as did the team's youngsters (Louane Verger, 20; libero Rebeka Zyani, 18; and point Cyrielle Depie, 17). A situation that Italian coach Alessandro Orefice had to face up to: "Yes, there have been a lot of changes, but that's the way it is. Afterwards, I asked the staff, management, fans and players to forget the incredible memory of the title. Now we have to face reality with a completely new team. We've started from scratch.
On the podium for 2/3 of the championship
A message that was quickly heeded, as Levallois-Paris quickly racked up four wins from their first five games, despite some roster concerns. The first home game against newly-promoted Bordeaux was no picnic. The Banlieusardes were pushed around and came very close to the penalty box that evening. "Our squad was a little thin at the start of the championship, and we were missing a player in post 4, so we had to make do for a while. Nonetheless, the Mariannes went from strength to strength, and after 17 games were in 3rd place alongside Aix-Venelles. "Of course we're aiming higher and we want to do the double. But it's not easy because we're a little short of experienced players on the pitch, and that's not always easy. Relative difficulties overall, with five defeats this season compared with three for leaders Nantes, but a few minor worries at home, with three defeats against Nantes (1-3), Mulhouse (1-3) and Terville-Florange (2-3).
Schlegel Mosegui, a choice reinforcement in attack
With only nine rounds left in the Saforelle Power 6 regular season, the Marianas can be optimistic about the upcoming fixtures. The reasons?