Martin, Bouchard, Dodi and Morgan are French Champs
AYNE (Martin, Bouchard, Dodi, Morgan) won the French championship in Montpellier
The French cult tournament took place for the 10th time. This time it was BP Montpellier who took on the task of organizing such a big tournament. Over 30 teams played on three courts over three days. The whole event was very well organized and there was also an evening program. There were also three main refs for the tournament (Mateen, Levin, Benji) who were able to take over part of the ref organization. After two days, Diamond Dogs (Romain, Jason, Mass, Julien) led the table. On Sunday, a top and a bottom double elimination was played. The format was a judo single elim. There is still a Winners and Loosers Bracket, but if you lose once you can only finish third if you win the Loosers Bracket Final. One of the most interesting matches was probably the semi-final in the Winners Bracket. It was AYNE vs Diamond Dogs. Both teams played a very good and fast game in which the score was 4:4 at the end of the match. In the golden goal it was Dodi who scored successfully and redeemed his team. The other semi-final in the Winners Bracket was no less exciting. Rosebud (Emmet, Luca, Cathal, Alex) played against Autobahn( (Alphonse, Quentin, Baptiste, Vincent). After a relatively quick 1:1, no goals followed for a while. With 25 seconds left in regulation time, Vincent scored a big shot to send his team into the Winners Bracket final and beat one of the favorites.
In the Loosers Bracket Final, Diamond Dogs played against Albatar (Silvio, Rems, Pix, Bernie). This was also a close game, but in the end Jason’s team had the upper hand and won 3:2.
The grand final for first place between Autobahn and AYNE was a very clean and beautiful game. Bikepolo Lyon was strongly represented with Vincent and Alphonse and Bouchard and Morgan. The teamplay in both teams was excellent and goals were scored on both sides. Shortly before the end, Dodi saved his team with a brilliant save to still have the score at 3:2
In the second double elimination, the podium was made up as follows: 1. Morningstars( Alban, Tom, Dani, Oscar), 2.Skitmobler (Marceau, Greg, Stan, Nico), 3.Franzuse (Anne, Alexis, Gaspard, Benoit)
Vincent, who celebrated his biggest success so far, said the following about the weekend: „First time for the Squad format in the FH. A lot of new teams to face, and not the easiest ones. Despite the (very) hot weather, Montpellier handle the organisation in a perfect way. Cheers to them ! Playing with Autobahn for the first time but it felt like we know eachother on the court for ages. Congrats to Ayne and Diamond Dogs who provided one of the best semi finals ever seen. Special thanks to Dimeh and Perpignan. And many thanks to Alphonse, Quentin Baptiste and Lyon Bike Polo, Allez Lyon !"
Sunday was streamed by DownOver on YouTube, check it out!
Winners Historie
2010: Yorgo, Marc, Louis
2011: Polo, Will, Jo, Pompon
2012: Polo, Will, Jo,
2013: Polo, Will, Greg
2014: Polo, Will, Luca
2015: Dodi, Morgan, Alex
2016: Luca, Will, Paul
2017: Polo, Will, Alex
2018: Morgan, Bouchard, Emmet
2019: Polo, Will, Alex
2024: Morgan, Dodi, Martin, Bouchard