Eight wins in eight matches. The best defense of the two groups (511 points conceded). The second attack in Pool E (638) behind Bourges. Six leading internationals lined up for each meeting, including potentially the French duo Marine Fauthoux – Iliana Rupert (1). To say that the Landes will have a hard time facing CBK Mersin is an understatement.
“It’s a great poster to bounce back from,” retorts Shona Thorburn. Julie Barennes' assistant refers to the thunderclap that resonated in François-Miterrand's grounds on Sunday, with the narrow defeat against Flammes Carolo (63-64), the first at home for nearly 11 month. A disillusionment on which the former Canadian international does not want to dwell. No more than its players. As captain Clarince Djaldi-Tabdi immediately pointed out a few minutes after the match, the Landes clearly have no time to feel sorry for themselves with the program that awaits them, and a match almost every three days.
“A great challenge”
“What happened?” It's difficult to say, and some players still have a little difficulty realizing it. But it's done, and it's very important to turn the page. Today (this Tuesday, Editor's note), before the video session, the girls got together to tell each other things that only they know (sic) and it's very good I think, that they take the time to 'to exchange. » This Tuesday, the Landes women were also entitled to a session a little longer than usual, and to 20 minutes of jogging, for the 20 balls lost on Sunday…
“Facing Mersin is a great challenge for us and we must approach it without pressure. This match can really give us confidence,” insists the technician. Which continues: “They also have their problems with the departure of their coach announced just before their departure (read elsewhere), so why not? But more than Mersin, which will have a very good team anyway, the important thing is us. On Sunday, we showed some excitement but it's often like that in matches returning after a break. We need to find rhythm and, above all, enjoy playing. »
(1) Another former Basket Landes player, Swedish pivot Regan Magarity, is also part of the Turkish squad, but she is currently injured in her knee. Marine Johannès is also on the sidelines (ankle).
Mersin changes coach
CBK Mersin may have flown through the Euroleague group stage, but their results in the Turkish championship are less impressive. The defeat conceded to Besiktas (71-65), the fifth of the season, was fatal to Victor Lapeña. The Spanish coach, the seventh in 15 months, had been in office since May 2024. In Mitterrand, he will be replaced by one of his deputies, the Franco-Turkish Mutlu Demir, aged 37.
