POSTED BY: Eurobasket Center
He was making his best season since he arrived in France, Emmanuel Soeria (188-G/F-82), one of the best scorer in the french 3rd division with Feurs, had to leave a training session earlier than expected last month.
"We were doing one-on-one drills and my feet came down on a cross-over live. That was so painfull that I understood it was a severe one" he said. The team doctor confirmed his fears a couple of minutes later: a right achilles tendon fully tore.
He had surgery in Lyon with one of the best surgeon in France, with the help of the french national team physiotherapist. Emmanuel will have to wait on the sideline for at least six months, his season is over, a bad news for him and for his team. His team is struggling to stay in the same division and Soeria was hoping to land a contract in the french second division next season.
"We will have to play our last 10 games to stay in this division and my injury combined with our back-up point-guard's one would hurt our chances" he said "I know that a couple of teams were watching me. With this injury, even i'm back on the court in September, I don't know if they are still eager to offer a contract to me. The managers of my team are still counting on me. I have to admit that I would love to play at an higher level but I can play again with Feurs if I had to".
While his France career doesn't seem to be in jeopardy, it is unlikely to see Emmmanuel Soeria in the 2007 South Pacific Games in August with the New Caledonia jersey. A tough call for the 2003 South Pacific Games Gold medal winner.
"I think I would not play in the South Pacific Games" he said "In fact, even without the injury I was not sure to come back in New Caledonia for the Games because they are scheduled in August during the european preseason and the teams are reluctant to let their players go during that moment".
Despite his withdraw, he remains confident about New Caledonia's chance to win the Gold in Samoa.
"I keep an eye on New Caledonia results and I know that the young players are good." he added. "Even if the tahitians, the fijians and the guameses are looking to defeat us. I trust the coaches and the players and hopefully Rodrigue (Tetainanuarii) will be available to bring the Gold back home".
Emmanuel Soeria
