“It's always nice to play against players that we have known, and that we have launched.
»The sentence is signed Philippe Hinschberger.
It necessarily has a particular echo for Simon Pontdemé.
The goalkeeper of Chambly and the coach of Grenoble will indeed meet this Saturday (7 p.m.) at the Pierre-Brisson stadium in Beauvais on the occasion of the meeting between their teams on behalf of the third day of Ligue 2.
A match which will inevitably dismiss them on December 1, 2006. That day, then coach of Niort, the former striker, double winner of the Coupe de France with Metz (1984, 1988) decides to start Simon Pontdemé for the match of the 18th day of the championship in Créteil.
It was there, in the Dominique-Duvauchelle stadium and in front of 3,000 people, Chamois jersey on their back, at 18 years and almost 7 months old, that Simon Pontdemé played the very first Ligue 2 match of his career.
“He told me to stay focused, to do simple things, remembers the one who has been guarding Chambly's goals since the summer of 2015. Especially not to put pressure on myself, to pretend I was playing with my friends from training center or reserve.
To be myself, not to overplay, and that everything would be fine.
"
But nothing was finally that day.
For his baptism of fire, Simon Pontdemé was severely hazed.
Niort was indeed inclined 3-1.
If the Niort goalkeeper takes out a shot from Khenniche (31st) with his fingertips, he can do nothing afterwards.
Neither on that of Ali el-Omari (37th), nor on the two banderillas of Patrice Vareilles, author of a breakthrough concluded by a small bridge over Simon Pontdemé (76th) then an unstoppable volley (87th).
“It had been a delicate match for me,” says Simon Pontdemé.
I hadn't been very good, I hadn't been bad either.
We had to start.
The coach started me, I would have liked a better start but that's how it is… It will remain memories anyway.
"
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Like those, a week earlier, during the 7th round of the Coupe de France won with difficulty (2-3) against Fontenay-le-Comte (CFA 2) on November 25.
"Philippe Hinschberger launched me in the Cup," specifies Simon Pontdemé.
It was not necessarily easy for me, I play a delicate game.
It was important for the coach to keep confidence in me, which he did.
Afterwards, he left (Editor's note: ousted from Niort in February 2007).
I made my little happiness along the way… ”
After two confrontations without a winner last season - the first in Chambly's history in Ligue 2 - marked by two 0-0, the two men will each want to remember the good memories of the other this Saturday night.
“I remember a very well-behaved boy, what is commonly called a good guy, underlines Philippe Hinschberger.
A boy with his head on his shoulders, his feet touching the ground.
For a goalkeeper, he has a lot of confidence in his kicking game.
He's good at air sorties, a nimble boy, not someone I see in trouble.
It won't be easy, but I hope we can test it hard this Saturday.
Even more than solidly… ”“ We know how to receive, smiles Simon Pontdemé, who played, outclassed, in Niort with one of Philippe Hinschberger's sons, Bastien.
We will show it to him ... "
MATCH SHEET
CHAMBLY - GRENOBLE
Saturday (7 p.m.) at the Pierre-Brisson stadium in Beauvais.
Referee: M. Vernice.
Chambly: Pontdemé - Danger (or Soubervie), Jaques (cap.), Dequaire, El Hriti - Flochon, Derrien - Correa, Heinry (or Martin), Susnjara - Guezoui.
Entr.
: B. Luzi.