LQualification for the second phase of the Euroleague was already historic. In the event of success in the Czech Republic against Brno this Tuesday (5 p.m.), Basket Landes has the opportunity to take a big step towards qualification for the play-ins, synonymous with the European top 8, and to write a new chapter of its history. In this “new look” Euroleague where the two groups of eight, the play-offs and the Final Four have been replaced by two group stages (four groups of four then two groups of six), play-ins and a Final Six (1), the Landes club has so far managed to do well.
After finishing at the top of their group during the first phase and an important victory over Bourges at home to start the second (76-73), Julie Barennes’ players, second in this new group E, can take a good option to the rest of the competition against the Czechs, who are in sixth and last place. “We have passed the first stage, we want to take the second,” admits Myriam Djekoundade with ambition. We will give ourselves the means to achieve this. At this level, there’s not much to play for, we’re going to have to turn luck on our side. We have the capacity to get there. »
“Brno doesn’t really have the same quality of players as Bourges or Mersin, but it’s still a good team”
Like in Miskolc?
If this match is only the second of the six which make up this second round, it is already of great importance. Between a double confrontation against the undefeated Turks of Mersin – French internationals Marine Fauthoux, Marine Johannès (operated on the left ankle at the end of November and who should be withdrawn for the end of the second phase) and Iliana Rupert – and a delicate trip to Bourges , winning twice against Brno is therefore essential to finish the second phase with three victories. A total which should be enough to validate his place in the top four of his group and compete in the play-ins.
The victory against Schio for Luisa Geiselsöder’s teammates allowed them to finish the first phase in first place in their group.
Philippe Salvat / SO
“After Christmas, we will still have four matches, but winning in Brno is very important,” begins Shona Thorburn, assistant to coach Julie Barennes. If we look at all the teams we are going to play, Brno doesn’t really have the same quality of players as Bourges or Mersin, but they are still a good team. She plays the Euroleague, it’s not for nothing,” she tempers.
The opponent
Passed, like Basket Landes, through a qualifying play-off to validate its Euroleague ticket, Brno only won twice during the first phase, against the Greek Olympiakos. The Czechs, who are in second place in the Czech championship behind Prague, were beaten in Schio during the first match of the second round (76-68). “They have a different style from us,” says Shona Thorburn, “but even if they don’t have very well-known players in the Euroleague, they have good Czech internationals. And they signed Laura Juskaite (former position 3 or 4 of Saint-Amand in 2021-2022) two weeks ago, a very good player who had a big match against us in LFB. »
Like the match against the Hungarians in Miskolc during the first phase (56-66 victory), this meeting can already allow the Landes to find themselves in a (very) good position to extend their European adventure. “I’m not sure, because the match in Miskolc was much later (4e day against 2e this time, Editor’s note), so I wouldn’t make the comparison. But what is certain is that it is a winnable match that we must win in order to qualify,” believes the French 3×3 international. “For me, it looks like it,” judges the former Canadian international. I always thought we could win against everyone, but this match represents a real opportunity. »
Bourges supporter
And Basket Landes could benefit from a little help from Bourges in its quest for qualification. Julie Barennes’ protégés should indeed carefully follow the meeting between Tango and Salamanca the day after their match (this Wednesday at 8 p.m.). A victory for the Berruyères, also at the top of the Women’s League, would push the Spaniards, fifth (therefore currently not qualified for the play-ins), three victories behind the blue and white club in the event of a victorious trip to the Czech Republic .
Philippe Salvat / SO
Against Bourges for the first match of the second phase, Louise Bussière’s teammates achieved an already important success with a view to qualifying.
And with four matches to play – including one in Mersin for Salamanca – the Landes club’s chances of qualifying for the play-ins would therefore become more than a simple dream. So will Basket Landes be the first support for Tango this Wednesday? “I support good basketball, Shona Thorburn initially dodges with a smile. But it would be better for French basketball if we have two teams continuing the adventure in play-ins. So, I guess I can tolerate Bourges a little more. »
“I don’t know,” replies Myriam Djekoundade. I have friends in Bourges so I am behind them. But I myself find it difficult to do the calculations, to put my destiny in the hands of other teams. »And to stay on top of the situation, a victory in Brno would be a good starting point.
(1) At the end of the second phase, the first two of each pool of six will compete in the semi-final of play-ins for a place in the semi-final of the Final Six, the loser being knocked down in the play-off of this six-way final. The 3rd and 4th will play against each other to join the latter, the 5th and 6th being eliminated.
Landmarks
Ranking (pool E): 1. Mersin, 14 points; 2. Basket Landes, 12 points; 3. Schio, 12 points; 4. Bourges, 11 points; 5. Salamanca, 10 points; 6. Brno, 9 points.
Program (8th day): Brno – Basket Landes (this Tuesday at 5 p.m.); Mersin – Schio (this Wednesday at 5 p.m.); Bourges – Salamanca (this Wednesday at 8 p.m.).
