By dominating the Stambouliotes (71-62), Marie-Eve Paget’s teammates have revived their European future a little more, this fifth success allowing them to return to equality with the Turks, in number of victories.
One victory may be enough
Admittedly, the Landaises failed to regain the particular point average from Galatasaray, winner of 19 points in the first leg. However, sixth place, synonymous with qualification for the quarter-finals of the Eurocup, currently occupied by the Stambouliotes, remains more than ever within reach of the champions of France. But to hope to beat the Turks at the post and be returned to C2, Basket Landes will have to, during its two upcoming meetings (Sopron and Girona), win one more victory than Galatasaray, to whom there remains one last challenge to take up at home. , and not least, against Schio.
If a setback for the Turks against the Italians on Wednesday is possible, it will only send the Landaises to the Eurocoupe if, at the same time, the latter sign a new exploit against Sopron. In the event of victory (or defeat) for both sides, Basket Landes will fire its last shot in Girona, on the last day after the international break.
The hardest part remains to be done. Because for this last meeting of the Euroleague at home, it is a real tenor of European basketball, finalist of the competition in 2018 and qualified for the Final Four in the last two editions, who will present himself on the floor of the Espace Mitterrand, this Wednesday evening (7:30 p.m.). Hungarians who will make the trip to confirm their unchallenged success in the first leg (76-54) and thus “secure second place in the group”, underlines the tricolor pivot Aby Gaye, one of the two champions of France 2021 of the workforce of David Gaspar.
Without Jovanovic
Unfortunately, the second, Nevena Jovanovic, will miss her reunion with the Landes public. As the Magyar club’s website indicates, the Serbian full-back was injured in training on Monday in a collision with Hungarian leader and captain Zsófia Fegyverneky, following which the two players lost consciousness. . Both having suffered a serious concussion and suffering from a broken nose, the club requested and obtained the exceptional authorization of Fiba to field only eight players on the team sheet.
However, between the French international winger Gabby Williams, the team’s offensive spearhead, the 2.08m of Bernadette Hata, the vista of Briann January and the experience of Jelena Brooks, the well-established collective of Sopron does not lack of tricks up its sleeve.
As for several weeks now, the Barennes / Thorburn duo will have to compose without their two long-term injuries: Céline Dumerc, whose return is hoped for the reception of Bourges, March 5, and Sophie Cunningham. Detrimental absences but which did not however harm the performance of the Landaises, undefeated in 2022 in all competitions.
This Wednesday, they will have to be driven by the same survival instinct as against Asvel Lyon in the Coupe de France, or against Gdynia and Galatasaray in the Euroleague to offer Espace Mitterrand, again in maximum gauge, a final in apotheosis. And maybe more.
