Appointed in the summer of 2024 following the Septors' relegation to the Proligue, Luis Filipe Roque Cruz has been implementing an entertaining playing philosophy with a young and promising squad for almost two seasons. The Portuguese coach came close to taking the Loiret-based team back to the top flight in his first season, but a cruel double confrontation with Sélestat in the playoff semi-finals decided otherwise.
At just 43 years of age, Luis Cruz has already built up an impressive track record in his native Portugal. As assistant coach, he won the championship and the EHF European Cup with Sporting, before moving up to Benfica, where he won the EHF European League as assistant to Chema Rodriguez, a former player for Veszprém and... Saran! Before joining the Septors, the Spaniard had his first experience as head coach with Belenenses, a club in the suburbs of Lisbon, with whom he finished seventh in the league and reached the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup.
This Saran team has several strengths that can cause problems for opposing defences, but the player to watch out for on Tuesday evening is Alban Simonnet. The 22-year-old centre-half has already racked up 166 goal involvements in the Proligue this season (75 goals, 91 assists). Only four players have done better in the second division at the half-way point of the season. However, the rising star on loan from Nantes has also stood out in the Coupe de France. Against Tremblay in the round of 32, the French U21 international found the back of the net eight times, notably scoring the final goal in the penalty shootout to qualify his team for the round of 16.
Once again, the choice is difficult as there are so many options. But how can we not mention Noa Narcisse, who will be reunited with his former teammates tonight? Since last summer, our former Titi has continued to develop in an ambitious team that aims to return to the elite as soon as possible. At 22, the left-back is making his mark despite the presence of serious competitors such as Eduardo Calle and Daniel Vieira.
With his experience in the Liqui Moly StarLigue and a few matches played in the EHF Champions League with Paris, the French U21 international recently passed the 100-goal-involvement mark in the Proligue (52 goals, 63 assists), proving his consistency at the highest level - as well as his maturity. Against his former club, Noa will undoubtedly want to be at his best to help his team achieve what would undoubtedly be the greatest feat in the history of the Septors.
Alban Simonnet and Noa Narcisse are not the only Saran players capable of posing a threat. In goal, the very promising Zoran Radic (23) seized his opportunity during the lengthy absence of Nikola Matovic, who returned from injury last week after being sidelined since March 2025. In defence, Clément Damiani's experience brings maturity to a squad that sometimes lacks it. However, youth is not always a weakness, as evidenced by the remarkable season of young pivot Antoine Sol, a true pillar of the Septors at only 22 years of age.
In attack, winger Lucas Petit will be looking to repeat his excellent performance in the previous round of the Coupe de France. Against Limoges, Saran's current top scorer found the net ten times, helping his team to a historic victory (42-38). However, it will also be important to keep an eye on young Malo Le Tumelin. Although his playing time may be limited, the 20-year-old, who came up through the Loire club's youth academy, has been one of the revelations of the first half of the Proligue season, having scored 54 goals in 15 games.
