Valentin Porte and Valero Rivera Preview Coupe de France Final

The Coupe de France final between HBC Nantes and Montpellier is scheduled for Saturday 23 May at 19:30, with the venue set at Paris’s Bercy arena. The match will feature the two clubs’ captains, Valero Rivera of HBC Nantes and Valentin Porte of Montpellier, in a televised pre‑match interview. Both captains are among the most decorated players in the French Starligue, bringing extensive trophy cabinets to the final. Their presence underscores the high‑profile nature of the showdown. The interview was organised by the regional newspapers Ouest‑France and Le Midi‑Libre, which invited the captains to share their perspectives on handball. The broadcasters aired the conversation during the half‑time break of a live match. Rivera and Porte discussed tactical approaches, team morale, and the importance of seizing the moment in a knockout competition. They highlighted the need to address any lingering issues, using a vivid metaphor about “draining the abscess”. The dialogue lasted the length of the half‑time interval, offering fans insight into the mindset of the two leaders. It was described as a “rich exchange” between two of the sport’s most successful figures. As the final approaches, both clubs will look to translate their experience into a decisive performance on the Bercy court. The encounter promises a high‑intensity contest between two of French handball’s elite sides.