“If we win against Salamanca, it would be a new step forward”

CBetween Angers, who presented themselves as an undefeated leader and in full confidence at the Mitterrand space, Basket Landes only doubted… for a quarter. Surprised by the skill of Ufab during the first ten minutes, Julie Barennes' players quickly tightened the screws and raised their level to ultimately achieve a big success (81-65), against the strongest team. solid start to the championship. The frustrating defeat in Lyon in overtime before the break is only a distant memory (89-85).

“I hope that this match will make us gain confidence, individually and collectively,” assures assistant coach Shona Thorburn, satisfied with the content of this resumption meeting. We were very disappointed after Lyon, so this time, we are very happy. We used the break to work offensively for a week and a half. And it worked! »

Repeat “full match”

The Landaises produced “a complete match,” relishes their captain Clarince Djaldi-Tabdi. We found ourselves in attack, which we lacked in Lyon. The fact that we were able to score means that, defensively, we were there. » As always in their overheated lair of the Espace Mitterrand, where they achieved a fifth success in a row in all competitions. That's good, they're going to have four receptions in a row in ten days. “With traveling, we are more tired, we have less training,” confirms Shona Thorburn. We always play better at home, it’s more comfortable, we sleep at home, we eat the things we want (smile)…”

This Wednesday (7:30 p.m.), on the occasion of the fifth and penultimate day of this first phase of the Euroleague, the players of the blue and white club will tackle a hell of a challenge: the Perfumerias Avenida de ex-Landaise Laura Gil, neck and neck with Basket Landes in the standings (6 points), who had inflicted on the latter its biggest defeat of the season, on October 17 (81-52).

“We were very disappointed after Lyon. We used the break to work offensively, and it worked”

“Since the first leg, we have progressed”

“We were missing Luisa (Geiselsoder), an important element of our internal sector,” recalls Clarince Djaldi-Tabdi. On the way out, the problem was mainly defensive, in the intensity and in our “body language”. We know that this will have to be corrected. » “Without Luisa, we did something different in defense,” continues her coach, a former Canadian international. But collectively, we have progressed since that match. For me, it's a “revenge game”, because we don't have the same level of team as a month ago. »

Since the setback in Castile and Leon, the accounting situation has also become clearer. Thanks to their nice success in Miskolc (56-66), the first away in a year and a half on the European scene, the Landaises placed themselves in a favorable position for qualification for the second phase, reserved for the first three of the four groups of four. Even in the event of a double defeat at home against Salamanca then Schio, a week later, they would advance to the second round if Miskolc loses in Italy this Thursday evening or in Spain on November 27.

A victory and a qualification?

A scenario that Shona Thorburn is not considering to validate a historic qualification, after five years of attempts in the queen of continental competitions. “We know that if we win, we will qualify without waiting for the other match. We are capable of beating any team at home. Salamanca is a very good training course, very complete. But if we continue on this path, we have a small chance. » And even a great opportunity to join the European top 12 next week.

“For me, it’s a revenge game, because we don’t have the same level of team as a month ago”

“When you're a player, you get up every morning to aim for things like that,” smiles Clarince Djaldi-Tabdi. Being part of the 12 best clubs is another step towards the highest level. And if we accomplish this goal, why not dream bigger? » Shona Thorburn doesn't want to get carried away (yet): “The Final Six, we don't think about it. You have to keep going through the steps. But if we win on Wednesday, it would be breaking news…”