Elan Béarnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez under reconstruction in Poitiers

Poitiers (7^e9v, 7d)
Pau-Lacq-Orthez (11^e8v, 8d)

This is a time that Generation Z cannot experience. The one where Nationale 1A matches, the ancestor of Pro A and Betclic Élite, were broadcast on Antenna 2Today France 2on Saturday afternoon. The era of epic duels between CSP Limoges and Elan Béarnais Orthez in the heart of the 80s and 90s.

Elan Béarnais then played at La Moutète, a covered market serving as a market during the week, transforming into a basketball cauldron on match nights. Until the club, which today became Elan Béarnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez, moved to the Palais des Sports de Pau in 1991. Elan Béarnais, one of the flagship clubs of French basketball, with nine French championship titles to his name, but also four French Cups and a Korac Cup (Euro Cup today).

“We must dissociate what Elan Béarnais was and what it is”

Relegated to Pro B at the end of the 2022-2023 season, Elan Béarnais has since been in a transition phase, having to juggle the weight of the past and that of the debt left by the former management team. “We must dissociate what Elan Béarnais was and what it is”confides Mickaël Hay, coach who arrived in the off-season, at the same time as nine players.

If the technician advocates patience, the wait around such an institution is always great. “There is a lot of work, both on and off the field. I love it but it takes time. And I have always been honest in my communication. » Before specifying: “We have the biggest budget (5.501.000 euros). But more than 25% or even 30% is used to repay the debt (the payroll is 1,095,000 euros, i.e. the 4^e de Pro B). »

Before going to Poitiers, Friday, at the Arena Futuroscope, Pau-Lacq-Orthez ranks 11^e place with a record of eight wins and eight losses. After a great start and four successes in the first four matches, he suffered five losses and has since alternated between the good and the less good. “With a 90% renewed workforce (only Curier remained in the offseason) and a new coach, everything will not be done in one day. Our record is not flamboyant without it being dramatic. We looked for each other in our cohesion and in our confidence. But, today, we are practically better outside (four wins and three losses on the road). We have a basic game which is not uninteresting but we cannot stabilize it. »

“We’ve been making progress for a month”

Elan Béarnais also remains on two successes far from its bases, in Blois (102-105) and in Gries (78-83). And the Palois arrive in Poitiers on the strength of a home victory against Évreux (84-67) for the first of Micah Speight (9 points, 6 assists, 11 evaluation in 26 minutes), their new leader, arrived to replace Keshun Sherill. “Against Évreux, we undoubtedly delivered the most assists of the season (22). With the work we have done over the past month, I think we are making progress. »

In Poitiers, Pau-Lacq-Orthez will try “to find consistency, even if we know it won’t be easy against a good team”. It remains to be seen with which group. Absent against Évreux, Christopher Ledlum (ankle), the top scorer in Pro B (19.4 points), is very uncertain. Just like Seydou Ndiaye (foot). Dalil Hadi (foot) is out.

Friday, 8:50 p.m., at the Futuroscope Arena.
Match broadcast on France 3 Noa, live also to follow on our website.