stunning against Schio, Basket Landes continues to dream bigger

Basket Landes 68 – Schio 59

Lieu Mont-de-Marsan (François-Mitterrand space). Referees Mmes György (NOR), Tomic (CRO) and Gajdosz (POL). Spectators 2 600. Quart-temps 12-18, 17-16, 25-13, 14-12. Half time 29-34.
BASKET LANDES 26/59 successful shots including 7/17 at 3 points, 9/12 free throws, 34 rebounds including 7 offensive, 18 assists, 12 fouls, 12 lost balls, 10 interceptions, 1 block, 83 rating.
The scorers Slocum (6), Lacan (10), Djekoundade (2), Djaldi-Tabdi (cap., 8), Geiselsoder (12) then Pardon (4), Bussière (6), Ewodo (7), Treffers (1), Macquet (12).
SCHIO 24/58 successful shots including 3/12 at 3 points, 8/11 free throws, 33 rebounds including 8 offensive, 14 assists, 13 fouls, 16 lost balls, 8 interceptions, 0 blocks, 61 rating.
The scorers Verona (10), André (10), Keys (11), Salaün (15), Laksa (10) then Bestagno (3), Sottana (0), Zanardi (0), Crippa (0).

TIt hasn't been perfect, far from it. But it doesn't matter. As against Chartres, three days earlier (69-58), the main thing is elsewhere. In a cauldron of Mitterrand even more incandescent than usual, the Landaises dug deep within themselves to overthrow Schio, big favorite of the group and undefeated in its history against the blue and white club (68-59 ). An Italian team which did not raise its head after its terrible gap in the third quarter – 17-0 conceded – after ideally starting this meeting at the top. But this Wednesday evening, nothing could derail a Landes machine launched at full speed towards the European top 12.

The first phase is not yet finished and the second is already well underway. And in line with its forceps success against Salamanca (59-58), Basket Landes won another precious victory, which allows it to attack the rest of the Euroleague with two victories in four days (read box) . If the Mersin of Marine Fauthoux and Johannès seems untouchable, the protégés of Marie-Laure Lafargue should battle with their evening victims, but also Bourges and Salamanca, for a place in the top 4 of this new group E. Just to dream even more big…

Bussiere maintains hope

Facing a leader undefeated in five confrontations against the Landaises since 2021, Julie Barennes expected “a hell of a challenge”. And the partners of Olympic vice-champion Janelle Salaün (15 points, top scorer of the match) honored their reputation for more quarter-time (4-14, 6th; 12-21, 11th), relying on a iron defense and a formidable collective who share the scoring.

Would the step be too high for the vice-champion of France? Doubt fades quickly

Would the step be too high for the vice-champion of France? The doubt quickly fades: Julie Barennes tightens the bolts in her interior sector, the offensive systems are hitting the mark. Little by little, Basket Landes makes its nest… and punishes the sterility of Schio, silent offensively for five minutes: the blue and white club returns to level (21-21, 15th). If the Italian vice-champions regain the advantage at the end of the first period and take a ten-point lead (24-34, 20th), a saving prize from Bussière allows his partners to still believe in it (29 -34, 20th). The beginnings of a second act of madness.

15-0 in… 3 minutes!

Because the Landaises, who initially hang on while waiting for better minutes (39-47, 26th), will only take 30 seconds to make up the nine points behind. And in an almost irrational moment, Macquet (12 points, top scorer in Landes) signs two victorious long-distance shots, immediately imitated by Bussière. The turning point of the match: in a Mitterrand space in meltdown, Basket Landes has just taken control for the first time (48-47, 28th). Julie Barennes' players, finally freed, passed a scathing 15-0 in three minutes against the Italians who were suddenly in great pain (54-47, 30th). And even thanks to captain Djaldi-Tabdi, also valuable in rebounding alongside her sidekick Geiselsöder (56-47, 31st)

The air gap is fatal to the Transalpines, who let slip a match that they had in control, the fault of the too weak contribution of their bench (3 points against… 30). To the great dismay of their coach Georgios Dikaioulakos – whose rage made the walls of the Espace Mitterrand locker room tremble – they lost their footing as much as their first place, which returned brilliantly to the irresistible Landaises. A purely anecdotal leadership position. But so promising.

La 2e phase

1. Mersin (4 wins, 0 losses), 2. Schio (3 wins, 1 loss), 3. Bourges (2 wins, 2 losses), 4. Basket Landes (2 wins, 2 losses), 5. Salamanca (1 victory, 3 defeats), 6. Brno (0 victory, 4 defeats).
The schedule for the 2nd phase: December 11 (home), December 18 (away), January 8 (home), January 15 (away), January 22 (home), January 28 (away). The first two of the two groups E and F will qualify for the Final Six, the 3rd and 4th for the play-in quarter-finals, the 5th and 6th will be eliminated.