It was a long evening at Vacheresse for the 3,800 spectators. The match between Roanne and Boulazac lasted two hours and twenty minutes, interrupted by multiple stoppages in play and numerous fouls (more than 60 over the entire match) on both sides. The match even plunged the public into a certain lethargy when Antoine Diot’s partners seemed to have folded the matter with 22 points in advance in the third quarter.
Some left and avoided being scared. At the start of the second fourth quarter, Boulazac came back. The Périgord players, who were never ahead in the score throughout the game, even thought about carrying out the hold-up. During the last possession on the counter-attack, the shot into Thomas Ville’s racket did not go in. And even if the ball had gone in, the Chorale-trained player had apparently shot a little too late. “Their intensity was too much higher than ours for too long,” summarizes the now Périgourdin Thomas Ville. Even if the Choir played with danger, this scenario woke up the public and the Hall which was rather heated during this third home championship match.
When we are in front as we were, we cannot let them come back and have such a close end to the match.
Dylan Affo Mama recognizes a relaxation. “Maybe we got too comfortable in the chair.” This drop in momentum can also be attributed to the opponent who never gave up. “It’s a strong team with many talents,” notes the chorale back.
His trainer Thomas Andrieux regrets this “lack of control” already seen in Antibes on October 11. Conversely, the Chorale lost on the Côte d’Azur (79-87). “We have to manage our weak times for the rest of the championship,” analyzes the technician. His players put a lot of energy into defending for three quarters. This perhaps explains this drop in speed. “I don’t know if it’s the impact. I think it’s also due to concentration. Unconsciously, we tell ourselves that at plus 20 we have control over the match. No, we know that it’s never over in basketball.”
Just behind undefeated leader Blois in the rankings
Despite this little scare, the Choir was able to react after its first failure of the season in Antibes. It now has the second best record in Pro B (5 wins and one defeat) behind Blois, still undefeated and at the top of the championship (six wins). Its next opponent, Alliance Sport Alsace is just behind, in a group of teams (with Antibes, Saint-Chamond-Andrézieux, Boulazac and Orléans) with two losses. “We have a great menu waiting for us. It is plentiful until November 15,” assures Thomas Andrieux.
Once the Alsatians have been received, the Choraliens will continue with two trips: one to Rouen (Tuesday October 29) then the other to Pau-Lacq-Orthez (Friday November 1). “There are still great battles ahead of us.”
What date for the reception of La Rochelle in the Coupe de France?
The Choir is still in the running in the Coupe de France. She will play her round of 16 against La Rochelle, a team promoted to Betclic Elite this season. The dates of the 16th have been set for Tuesday November 12 or Wednesday November 13 by the French Federation. “Tuesday, Wednesday or maybe at a later date. We’ll see. It’s up for discussion because we’re going to play a lot. We’re seeing if we can schedule it for another date,” says Thomas Andrieux. The answer should come at the beginning of the week.
Pink jerseys at auction
For the first time in its history, the Roanne Choir played with a pink jersey. A way for the club to participate in Pink October, a month dedicated to raising awareness of female cancer screening. The Roannais will wear this tunic a second time against Gires-Souffel, during the next match at Vacheresse on Friday October 25. In the meantime, the jerseys have been on sale, by auction, since Saturday October 19. The profits will be donated to the local associations Cami 42 and Femme avant tout. Auctions are being held (on ebay) until Monday October 28. The jerseys will be signed by the players. During the match against Boulazac, the whole club played the game since the staff wore a pink shirt and the managers had also integrated this color into their clothing.
