SPORTS MINUTE The sports news of this Friday, April 10, 2026.

Nîmes Olympique

Towards a new attendance record. Tomorrow at 6 pm, Nîmes Olympique (1st, 47 pts) welcomes Saint-Maur (3rd, 44 pts) for the clash of this 25th day of N2. With a potential victory, NO would almost eliminate a direct competitor, as there will be only five more matches to play. The public is expected to respond in large numbers for this crucial match. Already, 6,400 tickets have been sold almost 24 hours before the match. To fill the stadium to maximum capacity, the club has opened the sale of 410 additional seats at a rate of 5 euros in the visitor area (North stand) as the Saint-Maur supporters are not expected to travel across France to attend the game. Thus, the club expects to surpass the 7,000 spectators mark and set a new attendance record, surpassing the last match against Goal FC (6,486). As in every match, a former player will perform the ceremonial kick-off. Tomorrow, it is Gérard Lanthier, who played for the team in the 1986/1987 season, who will have the honor of being in the center circle with representatives from Veolia, the club’s partner. A nice gift for the former midfielder who recently turned 70 years old. The match can be watched live and exclusively at 6 pm on the YouTube channel “Objectif Gard”.

Probable lineup: Salamone – Loubacky, Célestin, Dramé, Diallo – Pirès, Benhamza, Orinel – Bennour, Depres, Touré. Substitutes: Dias, Doucouré, Coulibaly, Kubota, Sylla.

Olympique Alès en Cévennes

A match with two opposite trajectories. This Saturday from 6:30 pm, OAC hosts ASPTT Dijon at Pibarot. After losing 2-1 in Burgundy in the first leg, the Alès team aims to continue their good form (8-0) achieved on Carnoux’s pitch two weeks ago. Despite differences in the ranking, Alès and Dijon are on a similar streak, with two losses, a draw, and a win in their last matches. Alès is still aiming for the top of the table, being 7 points behind the leader Fos-sur-Mer. Whereas Dijon is the first relegation candidate in the group with 21 points, in a tight battle with Gallia Lucciana and Riviera, who are safe with 24 points. For this match, Jean-Marie Pasqualetti can count on the same squad as against Carnoux, except for the injured Uygar Barut who will be replaced by Mathias André. Jeffrey Assoumin and Evan Paulet are still in recovery but could return to the first team before the end of the season. It remains to be seen who will start up front for this match, as Maxence Fournel has started in every match this season, except against Carnoux where Gianni Baptiste replaced him and scored a goal in the second half. The Cévennes coach may repeat the experience this weekend.

Probable starting eleven: Bourdelle, Larcier, Chaveriat, Hamard, Traoré; Maurin, Cabezas, Benezet; Bouraja, Ekra, Fournel or Baptiste. Substitutes: Fontaine, Peyrard, André, Coulibaly, Poleri.

USAM Nîmes Gard

Without Faustin. Nîmes is going through a difficult period with five consecutive defeats, the latest against bottom-placed Dijon. With eight matches left, USAM, 11th with nine points behind 5th place, has given up on European qualification through the league. To salvage the season, all focus is on Wednesday’s French Cup semi-final at 8 pm at Parnasse against Nantes, with a ticket to Accor Arena at stake. But before that, tonight at 8 pm, there is a match against Aix, who have been a tough opponent at Parnasse. Pauc has clinched five successive victories in Starligue against USAM with a maximum margin of two goals. A close duel is expected again, but for morale, David Degouy’s men need a favorable result this time. Nîmes will be without Jean-Loup Faustin due to an ankle injury. Nahel Nol, a young reserve left-back, has been called up for the first time. Gustaf Wedberg has been left out, with Sam Tuxagues called up to bolster the right wing.

USAM group: Hodzic, Pardin; Anquetil, Vincent, Acquevillo, Nol, Gibelin, Derisbourg, Zuzo, Gibernon, Lafosse, Onodi, Tuxagues, Peyre, Kamtchop-Baril, Kaczor.

Rugby Club Nîmois

“An attentive ear.” At RCN, work continues on improving facilities. After installing a covered terrace, the handrail in front of Le Drop brewery, the club’s property, has been tarmacked. A large barbecue is also under construction. But the focus is on modifications to the Kaufmann stadium, owned by the city. Firstly, the extension of the partner’s area on the small side stand, “the work will start at the end of the season. We will finally be able to bring all our partners together in one place without any space issues.” Furthermore, there was an issue with the sound system, “it is in the process of being purchased,” says the president. The club aims to regain the gym located under the main stand to organize events. This transformation requires good cooperation with the new municipal team and Bruno Ferrier, the new Sports Deputy. Steeve Calligaro hopes for an understanding with the new team’s interest in RCN’s matches, with the presence of former captain Pierre-Édouard Detrez, alongside Vincent Bouget as Deputy for Education. The annual grant from the city of Nîmes to RCN is around 700,000 euros. On the sports side, there is no match this weekend for RCN, who will play their final regular season game on April 19th against Fleurance. A minor miracle is needed to qualify for the playoffs.

Alès Agglo Volley-Ball

Repeat the feat. Alès Agglo Volley-Ball could determine their future this weekend. Facing the group leaders, Agde Volley-Ball 2, the Cévennes team, currently 3rd in the Regional 1 championship, aims for promotion to the next level. With two teams advancing from each group each season, Alès is in a favorable position for promotion as Montpellier 4 (second in the group) cannot move up to the higher tier as they already have a team at that level. With three games to go, 4 points ahead of the team behind, and a favorable schedule against the bottom two teams, AAVB holds their destiny in their hands. But first, they must face the leaders, Agde 2, who have only been beaten twice this season, with one of those losses coming against Alès (3-1). The match, to be played on Saturday at 6pm at Agde’s ground, could give a boost to the Cévennes team in their quest for promotion, before hosting Cosmo, bottom of the group, next week to confirm their ascent to the higher level.