There are “without” seasons and once again, the BLMA was not happy in a final that escaped them two seconds from the last whistle with a defeat on two free throws against Angers (59- 60). The situation is complicated.
There are shortcuts that call out: last season, UF Angers Basket 49 played in Ligue 2 and were French champions when BLMA came within a whisker of a fabulous second league and cup double. Nine months later, the Angevines (15 matches, 23 points) are in 4th place in a Women’s League, of which the BLMA is currently and sadly 10th and last tied (18 points at the same rate as Landerneau and Charnay) with a match behind (against Villeneuve d’Ascq, 5th) on Saint-Amand (21 pts), Tarbes (20) and Landerneau (18).
With its workforce of variable geometry between its multiple Covid cases, its repeated injuries and long-term absences, the BLMA will nevertheless play in March a quarter-final of the Euroleague against the prestigious Fenerbahçe thanks to a 4th place which it did not have. especially not stolen in group A of the great European Cup at the end of the regular season having won six games … two more than in the Women’s League. Paradoxically to say the least, no!
In urgent search of victories
The Gazelles remained on five consecutive defeats before the arrival of Angers at the Palais des sports de Lattes, they conceded a sixth and no longer know the meaning of the word victory since Wednesday January 19, evening of an 80-45 a little misleading on the floor of the TTT Riga. Since then, they have been defeated in turn at Bourges (80-75 after extra time in the Coupe de France), Moscow (98-78), Basket Landes (68-51), Venice (52-74) and Salamanca. (65-78). A series which was somewhat predictable given the staffing concerns, complicated by the double defection of Epoupa and Berniès on their return from the international break (in 5×5 and 3×3) but which does not really help the morale of the troops.
Said series could have been stopped this Sunday by a BLMA which led for 31’08 against 6’45 in Angers, which counted up to 17 points in advance (40-23 in the 23rd), which found three of its warriors (Epoupa, Berniès, Dabovic) during this confrontation but who faltered in the final, “out of juice. We did not last the distance, we were much slower and static in the 2nd half. I didn’t know how long we were going to last, the girls didn’t give up, it’s a shame. And it’s not paid off compared to the efforts made this week. We’ll have to fight until the end of the season”, analyzed a disappointed Valéry Demory. Because “his” (relative concept) BLMA is therefore 10th. He could score an extra point if one of the three referees, while Angers, who was back in the lead (54-55 at 3’02) which he had not done since a 14-16 (12th) and was then led 59-58 had not whistled a foul (doubtful??) less than two seconds from the final whistle. The 2/2 of the Nigerian-American Chidom condemned a BLMA which was not very happy on this point (59-60). But that’s the reality, and it’s disturbing to say the least…
