If we cannot say that the Limoges CSP was a model child in 2024, Santa Claus can sometimes transform into real trash devoid of the slightest empathy. How else can we explain imposing the reception in Monaco and a trip to Paris in the space of two days just before the holidays? Two Euroleague teams at the foot of the tree like so many gifts even more poisonous than the Scorpio box offered every year by your great-aunt.
This Saturday evening, the first New Year's Eve could well turn sour if the Limoges CSP did not put all the right ingredients throughout the evening. At this table of the greats, where we do not yet know all the guests but where the Greek leader Nick Calathes could sit for the first time this season, we will also have to behave ourselves.
Reunion with Kantzouris
And avoid annoying topics of conversation such as the tax advantages for Monegasques, the 50,000 euros wasted by Olivier Bourgain to push Mam Jaiteh out, or the flight of Uncle Kantzouris, who left Limoges in the heart of the storm last year to reach Jerusalem, like Francesco Schettino abandoning the Concordia in the middle of a rescue. The reunion between the Greek, who became the assistant to his compatriot Vassilis Spanoulis in the Hellenic selection and in the Principality, after failing in Israel, and some of his hosts promises to be extremely fresh…
It remains to be hoped that this is not the case throughout the evening and that the Limoges CSP, carried by the magic of Christmas and especially that of a Beaublanc filled in 45 minutes with its most faithful back to basics, manages to ignite the Palais des sports to suggest an impossible miracle against a Monegasque team corrected Thursday evening in Madrid (94-72). In any case, this will be the meaning of the message that Jean-Marc Dupraz will deliver as a blessing: “Deep down, I want us to challenge them, to raise our level of play, to make ourselves pleasure and that we come out of this match with pride. For the youngest, it is an experience to be fully enjoyed. »
“We definitely don’t want to spoil the party”
But before receiving, the Limougeauds, who had a tendency to turn the other cheek to Villeurbanne, will have to give, particularly of themselves. “Personally, I want to destroy everything. We must not be afraid, they are men like us. You have to play intensely on defense. We have to wet our jerseys and get in their faces”, image Kenny Baptiste who hardly misses a Roca Team match in the Euroleague. “It’s one of the best teams in Europe,” judge Alexandre Chassang, who hopes to confirm his good individual performance last week in Saint-Quentin. This match should excite us, not inhibit us. We don't want to spoil the party. »
The Limougeauds, on the contrary, want to treat a Beaublanc who has never abandoned them throughout this year 2024 despite very strong turbulence. Even if it means acting like Father Fouettard with these sometimes a little too spoiled children of the Principality.
