No, the first impression is not always the right one. This Saturday evening, Caen BC first appeared concerned, connected, aware of the danger that awaited it. In the wake of a striking Radshad Davis, he seemed safe from disappointment (11-5, 5'). Made his audience believe it until the start of the second quarter, being carried by a three-point skill rarely seen this season (24-18, 12'). And then almost nothing.
Suddenly every possession became a pain. It was sorely lacking in energy, enthusiasm and ideas. Anger too, which annoys Stéphane Eberlin to the highest degree, a coach who cannot tolerate cheating in terms of commitment. Champagne Basket, which hasn't been sparkling much lately (4 losses in a row), took advantage of this apathy to get back on track. Then go ahead with a winning basket from the insolent Hasan Varence (31-33, 18').
The Caennais returned to their locker room with red cheeks (12/32 shooting) after conceding an 11-2 which looked bad. There was indeed an explanation of the text in the privacy of the locker room and a reaction upon returning to the floor (44-48, 24'). But it was short-lived, quickly annihilated by a completely successful Champagne team.
Guided by Bridgewater, its pocket leader, Champagne Basket extinguished the Palace with an express 10-0 (44-58, 26'). At the start of the last quarter, we didn't really see how this CBC, much too messy, could come out of its torpor. He succeeded after his announcer found the right words to reignite the flame.
Starting with 14 points of disbursement, the CBC finally raised the cursor, stuck out its elbows and little by little nibbled away its delay. Yann Siegwarth shook him and Kentan Facey allowed him to get back on track (76-77, 38'). The atmosphere was incandescent, but the last possessions were poorly negotiated.
This setback, the fifth of the year 2024 at the Palais, buries the hopes of seeing Caen BC in the Leaders Cup. The Caennais, who seemed tired, have one last challenge to take on in 2024, in Fos, Friday December 27.
The technical sheet
CAEN BC – CHAMPAGNE BASKET : 76-84
(18-16, 15-25, 20-26, 23-17).
Referees: MM. Landy, Chajiddine and Thierry.
CAEN BC: Pontens 2, Davis 9, Davis Jr 6, Norelia 14, Facey 16, then Hannequin 6, Rojewski 6, Coulibaly, Bernaoui 3, Siegwarth 14, Koné. Coach : Stéphane Eberlin.
CHAMPAGNE : Ferguson 14, Legat 7, Varence 20, Galliou, Ba 5, puis Gosselin 3, Bridgewater 17, Samuel 9, Grotzinger 7, Malwaya 2, Choucroute. Coach : Vincent Dumestre.
