“I will take a lot of memories”, Rachid Meziane’s emotional and victorious farewell to Villeneuve-d’Ascq

Unsurprisingly, ESBVA qualified for the round of 16 of the Eurocup basketball, Wednesday December 18, against CSM Constanta (91-71). Beyond the victory, it was above all the last dance of coach Rachid Meziane at the Palacium, who received a vibrant tribute before his departure for the United States.

The buzzer has just sounded at the Palacium and all eyes are on one man. Rachid Meziane, the Guerrières coach. The time for his farewells has come. Everyone knows, many feared the moment. The northern coach has just led his last home match, this Wednesday, December 18, with a victory against the Romanians of Constanta (91-71), qualifying for the round of 16 of the Eurocup basketball.

As a symbol, it is he and not one of the players who launches the traditional post-match clapping at the foot of the stand of the group of Zhurlants supporters. Then, after a tour of the room, a frank hug with his faithful assistant Antonio de Barros and a few gifts received, the tactician in office for five seasons at ESBVA grabbed a microphone for a farewell speech tinged with emotion, surrounded by players, staff and the public.

“Here I experienced the best moments of my career, launched the 44-year-old man, also 2023 European champion with Belgium. I saw talents blossom. I saw Jo Gomis retire. I will take with me many memories, many moments and your echoes will resonate in my heart for a long time.” Words mixed with a few tears that the hero of the evening will not be able to hold back. “Thank you for welcoming me as I was, I will continue to support the Warriors.”

“He marked the history of the club, he is a great coach on and off the pitch.”

Aude, supporter of the ESBVA

This Wednesday evening, the Clermontois will have received the love of an entire club. During the meeting, the “Thank you Rachid” continued to rain from the stands. “We wanted to pay tribute to him, he brought so much to the club,” recognizes Geoffrey Lettelier, president of the Zhurlants. “He marked the history of the club, he is a great coach on and off the pitch,” praises Aude. “He took us almost to the highest point, he’s a workaholic, with results at the end,” abounds Raspberry.

At the age of 12, Timéo came with his sign “We love you Rachid”. “He did it in his room before leaving, alone, without me knowing,” said his father, as a sign of the boy’s attachment, touched by the visits of the Villeneuvois coach to his small club in Neuville-en-Ferrain. After the final whistle, he will be sure to immortalize the moment in photos. Like dozens of supporters, including Madeleine, 86 years old, the oldest of the Zhurlants.

Recruited in 2019 by a Villeneuve-d’Ascq club in a delicate position, Rachid Meziane will have managed to lead the club to the title of champion of France and finalist place in the Euroleague in 2024. “When he arrived, we were at our worst, recalls Carmelo Scarna, president of the ESBVA. He took this team out of the depths of the women’s league and left his mark on the club, the game and the players.” Not without some friction. “We haven’t always agreed on everything, notes Caroline Hériaud, the captain. But he is a talented coach who was able to make us buy into his project.”

In Villeneuve d’Ascq, it is therefore “a page that turns” not without nostalgia. The coach will fly to the United States in January to join the Connecticut Sun women’s team in the WNBA. He will become the second Frenchman, after naturalized James Wade, to coach in the prestigious American league.

However, he will have one last championship match in Montpellier on Saturday November 21 before handing over to his successor, Maxime Bézin, former coach of Lille métropole basket, who will have to continue the rise in the general ranking (10th out of 12 teams currently), after the failed start to the ESBVA season.

With Léo Marron