It was sort of the final of this group in FIBA Europe Cup. Wednesday November 13, 2024, JDA Dijon hosted the German club Ludwigsburg. In the first leg on the other side of the Rhine, Jeanne lost with three small points (80-77). Final score 93-81 in favor of the Germans. To qualify, you either had to finish first, it was a failure. Either finish among the six best runners-up, it’s done, the JDA will see the next round.
The JDA dominated by Ludwigsburg
The JDA got off to a bad start, leaving the Germans flat-footed (0-7, 3rd). Kyler Edwards scores all the first Dijon points (6-10, 5th). McDuffie equalizes thanks to two shots (10-10, 6th). Dijon misses, Ludwigsburg accelerates, causing Laurent Legname’s first time-out (10-18, 7th). The JDA, penalized by its lack of long-range shooting skills (0/6), was kept at bay at the end of the first quarter (15-23).
As a symbol, David Holston scores Dijon’s first three points on the return. Except that the Germans immediately start a series again, pushing the JDA further and further away. At this stage of the game, Jeanne has still not taken the slightest offensive rebound… (20-37, 14th). McDuffie then Edwards finally aim at just three points (26-39, 16th). One time behind (up to +17 in favor of the Germans), the Jeanne finishes with a bang to try to get back on track. 41-52 at the break. The Dijonnais are ultra-dominated in rebounding (26 for Ludwigsburg, only 12 for the JDA, including two offensive…).
Ducoted from afar, Edwards under the circle, the JDA attacks the third quarter with a 5-0, immediately triggering a German time-out (46-52, 21st). McDuffie takes the “and one”… falling, Holston has three points on the next action. The JDA comes back from nowhere and gets back to one point (51-52, 23rd). Laurent Legname receives two technical fouls in one minute and is sent off (54-60, 24th). The narrow score, 66-71, promises an epic final act.
Unfortunately, no. The JDA once again sees Ludwigsburg stand out, far, very far, too far (73-88, 38th). And completely breaks down at the end. Justin Simon will have hurt, with his 33 points. The few rebounds taken also (22 against 43).
“93 points at home is unthinkable if we want to hope for anything”
The sports director of the JDA, Fabien Romeyer, reacted to this defeat at the France Bleu Bourgogne microphone: “Big difference in terms of intensity. What is unfortunate and unacceptable is that we did not approach this match as a team that was playing for first place. This is not the first time, and this The arrival of Gregor Hrovat is not going to fix everything. We need collective consideration, that’s obvious. We can’t just say that we’re happy to move up to the top 16. We had a match rather coherent there, we had the feeling that we had made some progress. It must be noted that today, in three weeks, Ludwigsburg has made much more progress than us, 93 points at home. “unthinkable if we want to hope for anything in the league or the European Cup.”
Caledonia Gladiators – Trepça did not take place
The other match of the group, which was to pit the Caledonia Gladiators in Scotland against the team from Trepça (Kosovo) was not played. Pour “logistical reasons”indicates FIBA. The Kosovar club evoked on his side “administrative delays in processing entry visas to the United Kingdom”.
Gregor Hrovat applauds
Not in uniform, in civilian clothes, because not qualified for this match, Gregor Hrovat was however present alongside his teammates when the teams were presented. The Slovenian, who already passed through Dijon between 2022 and last season, just got involved again with Jeanne. The leaders hope for it on the floor this weekend in the championship. When the announcer announced his name, the full-back/winger was loudly applauded by the audience at the Palais des Sports.
Focus on Saint-Quentin
Saturday, at 8:30 p.m., JDA Dijon will host Saint-Quentin. The Aisne club is off to a great start to the season, fourth in the elite before this 9th day. On the contrary, Jeanne must reassure herself, in need of victories (two successes for five defeats since the start of the season) and on a series of three consecutive defeats.
