While Basket Landes snatched first place in its group by dominating Schio, Bourges got the better of Zabiny Brno. Villeneuve d'Ascq, narrowly beaten in Zaragoza, leaves the Euroleague and will return to the Eurocup.
The Basket Landes players had a goal. Beaten by four points on the Schio floor, they had to erase this points difference when facing the Italians on their home ground at the Espace François-Mitterand in Mont-de-Marsan to snatch first place in Group A of the Women's Euroleague. Aware of this, the Schio players started the match strong with a 14-4 in the first minutes aiming to put a blow to the morale of the Landes. The latter did not give in and, thanks in particular to Sixtine Macquet (12 points), they were able to get back together at the start of the second quarter.. However, Schio regained momentum to reach the break five lengths ahead. A difference which reached ten units very quickly after the restart but Basket Landes finished this third quarter with a bang. A 15-0 allowed them to approach the last ten minutes with a margin of seven lengths. Now their opponents are under pressure, Julie Barennes' players did not give in and won by nine points (68-59), more than was needed to finish in first place.
Bourges validates its second place
Bourges ends the first phase of the Women's Euroleague on a good note. Traveling to the Zabiny Brno floor, Olivier Lafargue's players scored a fourth victory in six games. A meeting that the Czechs got off to a flying start with a 10-0 which allowed them to take the lead throughout the first quarter. Led by Morgan Green (21 points, 5 assists), the Tango gradually erased their delay before breaking away shortly before returning to the locker room. It was with a margin of thirteen lengths that the Berruyères started the third quarter. From then on, the gap continued to grow to reach a maximum of 27 units. A mattress which allowed Bourges to finish this meeting freewheeling for a success of 20 points (65-85) which ensures Tango second place in Group B behind Mersin, who finished undefeated after inflicting a sixth defeat in as many matches on Olympiakos (87-58).
Villeneuve d'Ascq returned to the Eurocup
There will be no second consecutive Euroleague final for Villeneuve d'Ascq. Traveling to Zaragoza, Rachid Meziane's players absolutely had to win to avoid last place in Group C, synonymous with the Eurocup for the rest of the season. After a tense first quarter, Shavonte Zellous' teammates (13 points) tightened the game in defense to only give up five points in the ten minutes leading to the break. Effective in attack, the Northerners were eleven steps ahead when they reached the locker room. The Spanish changed tempo when play resumedinflicting a 14-2 on the ESBVA to get back in front. However, the Villeneuve d'Ascq players raised their heads to approach the last ten minutes in front by a score of three units. Undecided for a long time, the last quarter finally turned in favor of Zaragoza in the last three minutes, who won by nine lengths (68-59). With this fifth defeat in six matches, Villeneuve d'Ascq finds itself sent to the Eurocup.
