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Their last four head to head games were settled in the last minute

These two teams played a League Cup game at this arena last month, Cesson won 25-24. This is a direct clash between teams from the bottom part of the table. Ivry are still the worst club in the league, but they got better and won the last two games

Cesson had the whole team on their disposal for the first time this season last week in a game against the newly promoted Dijon. That means Suty and Celica were once again in the back court, and Dore was back in the wing position. He scored 7 out of his 10 attempts against Dijon (1/1 in penalty shoot). However, that was not the Cesson we got used to in the first part of the season - they managed to beat Montpellier, played a draw against Nantes, and won against Nimes away...Dijon were in the lead throughout the game and deservedly won 27-26.

They are currently holding position 9 with 8 points won, but Selestat, who are the first team above the danger zone, are only two points short of them. Today marks a beginning of a very important period in the season for Cesson - they are playing three out of four games home (against Ivry, Tremblay, and Selestat). All three teams are currentlybehind them in the table, but they are all very close when it come to the points. That says a lot about the importance of game today. Ivry won two times in the last three rounds (Dijon and Nimes), and these two teams already met this season. It was on October 2nd in the League Cup. The game took place in Rennes as well, and Cesson managed to win narrowly 25-24. They played a 20-20 draw here last year, and Cesson won 26-25 in Paris. Last four games were settled in the last minute.

- We played a bad game against Dijon, the entire team failed. The offense didn't work as smoothly as in the previous games, the defense lacked agility, solidarity, and aggressivness. We were never in the game, they dominated, and we still lost by only one point - said Suty, who just got back and pointed out he is still not ready to spend a lot of time on the court, and said he still needs a few weeks.

- We're disappointed with the defeat against Dijon, but that only proved that if we're not 100% in against our direct rivals, we can't get any points. Despite losing, we'll learn from it and get stronger. We have to look ahead.

They are now playing two consecutive home games against two teams from Paris - Ivry and Tremblay. Suty says there's no pressure on them over the defeat against Dijon.

- Their wins in the last rounds prove their great talent and they probably won't end up in the posisitons they're currently holding. (both teams are in the danger zone). We know those games will be tough. We have to be ready to fight, play defense with a lot of aggression and leave them with no hope.

In the interview he gave to club's official web-site, Suty said that the goal before the winter break is to win the three home games, 'everything else would be a bonus'.

They are meeting Ivry after a home win against Nimes, who beat Chambery last night. Goalkeeper Chapon was the hero in Ivry's win - performance like his can be seen only maybe once a year - he recorded 26 saves and saved 4 out of seven penalties. That was 53,1% of saves. Sebastian Simonet scored 7 out of 8 goals, lineman Indic four out of four, but right back court Sulc (0/4) and left back court player Rudovic (0/3) didn't pull their weight. 

- Today's game will depend on Cesson's performance greatly. Will they feel pressure after the defeat or do they  know how well they did against Dijon. Our head to head games have always been tied - said coach Leandry.

- Every away game in D1 is tough, but focusing on ourselves is what's important. We have to recuperate physically and mentally - stakes are high in these games. Nimes, Cesson, and Selestat recquire a lot of energy. 

Ivry will still have to do without injured Pablo Simonet.

Last month it was 25-24 for Cesson here, but that was the League cup and a less important game than the one here today. Ivry have been a defensive team for years, they played 20-20 here last year and I expect them to be in fighting mood. I expect it from Cesson as they lost their last round against Dijon which disappointed many, and they lost their last home game against the super-fast Montpellier by 23-20. Ivry had an under against Toulouse and Dunkerque, and went over 50 only against fast teams like Chambery, but I don't expect such a game today. This is a fight for relegation, important for both teams there will be enough grit to go around.