At the end of an intense and undecided match until the last second, the Tarbes Gespe Bigorre came close to the feat against the giant Bourges. Dominator for three quarters, the TGB narrowly lost (74-76) despite a remarkable collective service. A bit bitter -taste, but hopeful before the return match.
The Adour quay in Tarbes vibrated this evening for a breathtaking match between the TGB and Bourges. In an electric atmosphere, the Tarbaises delivered a heroic performance … but ended up bowing on the wire, 74-76, facing the Berruyère armada. A cruel scenario as they dominated the meeting.
From the first minutes, the players of François Gomez imposed an infernal pace, taking the leader of the regular season. Worn by a omnipresent zodia Jess Mine Zodia (12 points, 10 rebounds) and a Murjanatu Musa Imperial in the racket (14 points, 7 rebounds), the violets capsized the opposing defense. Tarbes seemed untouchable, leading the debates with intensity and accuracy.
But the fate was a little more complicated with the injury of Nancy Fora in the 3rd quarter, a loss which weakened the balances. And opposite, Bourges found her revolt leader: Kariata Diaby, simply monstrous (25 points, 10 rebounds), put hers in the match. In the last seconds, the experienced Pauline Astier (14 points, 9 assists) brought the fatal blow 30 seconds from the end, giving the decisive advantage to the tangos.
Tarbes can nourish regrets. Having carried almost the whole match to fail at only two lengths … The taste is bitter. But nothing is played. It’s just a round. The return will be played next Tuesday, and hope remains more than ever alive. In sport, anything is possible. And this TGB team, carried by its heart and its audience, has already proven that it could move mountains.
See you Tuesday. Nothing is finished. What if history was written in capital letters?
