Tarbes-Rutronik : 50-71 (MT : 29-31 / QT : 14-17, 15-14, 10-16, 11-24)
For Tarbes : 13/37 successful baskets (35%), 9/20 2-point baskets (45%), 4/17 3-pointers (24%), 6/9 free throws (67%), 43 rebounds including 16 offensive , 10 assists, 19 fouls, 25 lost balls, 9 interceptions, 2 blocks.
Team stats: 9 points after loose balls / 20 interior points / 13 second chance points / 9 points on counter-attacks / 10 points from the bench
Droguet (NE) / Musa (27’34): 8 points (80%) / Zodia (22’07): 6 points (33%) / Sivka (33’52): 10 points (40%) / Fora (21 ’44): 10 points (50%) / Strunc (23’16): 6 points (14%) / Monasse (18’27): 2 points (12.5%) / Miyem (12’55): 2 points (25%) / Barahman (2’49): 0 points / Celerier (19’52): 3 points (14%) / Ewodo (14’37) ): 2 points (25%) / Foal (2’47): 1 point (0%)
Rutronik : 26/70 successful baskets (37%), 22/45 at 2 points (49%), 4/25 at 3 points (16%), 15/17 free throws (88%), 41 rebounds including 16 offensive, 22 assists, 21 fouls, 13 lost balls, 13 interceptions, 6 blocks
Team stats: 20 points after loose balls / 38 interior points / 13 second chance points / 4 points on counter-attacks / 18 points from the bench
Wilke (NE) / Arthur (4’25) : 0 point / Muzet (29’14) : 9 points (100%)/ Schlipf (2’19) : 0 point / Turmel (14’26) : 2 points (67%) / Gilles (34’02) : 16 point (29%) / Kiss-Rusk (27’51) : 5 points (22%) / Djordjevic (31’14) : 17 points (67%) / Rosic (19’59) : 14 points (50%) / Konstantinova (36’30) : 6 points (6%)
Beaten by 15 points in the first leg (60-45), the Tarbaises lost by 21 points during the return match at the Quai de l’Adour (50-71), a disbursement of 36 points against the current leader of the Championship from Germany. The Rutronik Star Keltern, which joined the highest German level in 2015, was titled in 2018, 2021, 2023 and won the Cup in 2020 and 2021. A team coached by Matea Tavic, its former leader, ex-international of Bosnia and Herzegovina who played in the 2023 World Cup and who played in Saint-Amand in 2021. Although still deprived of Wilke, the Germans, more aggressive, stifled the Tarbaises on both sides of the floor. Tarbaises caught in aggression and envy who have never been able to worry the Stars of Rutronik. The Germans managed their fifteen point lead from the first leg during the first two quarters + 17 (20th) before taking the keys to the match + 24 (30th) and rolling out to win 50-71 with + 36 over both meetings. Camille Droguet absent, only Ajsa Sivka (10 points acquired at half-time) and Nancy Fora (10 points) scored a double while Musa Murjanatu (8 points, 15 rebounds) and Zodia (6 points, 7 rebounds) were dominated under the circle where Keltern (38 points against 20 points) ruled the roost. The Germans also benefited from the 25 balls lost by the Bigourdanes. Djordjevic (17 points, 6 rebounds), Gilles (16 points, 4 steals), Rosic (14 points) brought Keltern to great success.
François Gomez lined up Strunc and Sivka as his two shooters in the starting five to quickly reduce the fifteen-point gap from the first leg. Fora and Sivka hit 3 points from the start 6-2 (3rd) but very aggressive the Germans regained control 6-11 with four consecutive baskets including a 3 point from Gilles 6-11 (5th). Tarbes came back 14-15 (8th) and lost the first quarter 14-16 (10th). Keltern, always aggressive, took the match 15-26 (14th) before giving in weighed down by mistakes. Tarbes took advantage behind Sivka and Fora to regain the lead 27-26 (18th) but Gilles, 3 points in the Buzzer, got back in front 29-31 (20th). Musa equalized 31-31 from the restart but Konstatinova and Djordjevic regained the score 31-36 (22nd). Tarbes, with Fora at 3 points, equalized again 36-36 (24th) before giving in 36-44 (26th) by conceding four baskets in a row including a 3-pointer from Gilles 36-44 (27th). In the throws, Keltern took the lead 39-47 (30th). With a 24-point lead, the Germans had qualification in their pocket but the TGB could still hope to win to leave the Eurocup with a success. Unfortunately the Tarbaises completely foiled and Keltern widened the gap 41-54 (34th) and despite two 3-point shots from Strunk and Celerier, the Germans took off 47-67 (38th) and won 50-71. A second heavy defeat of 21 points conceded at the Quai de l’Adour this season, with that in LBWL against Charnay 53-74.
Jean-Jacques Lasserre
