« Badalone isn’t 32 points above us, » Elric Delord puts Élan Chalon’s heavy defeat into perspective

Back to earth for Élan Chalon. After a successful group stage and a controlled play-in, the Burgundy club discovered another level facing Joventut Badalone, a credible title contender. While the score is definitive, Elric Delord refuses to reduce the game to a simple rout.

More interesting content than in Paris, despite the margin

The Chalon coach first wanted to highlight his players’ attitude, which he deemed generally satisfactory despite the scoreboard beating. « This game leaves me with the same feeling as the Paris one: it’s overall a good match. Better even than the Paris one in terms of basketball. There was no cheating, » he explained to the Journal de Saône-et-Loire, mainly pointing to offensive shortcomings. « We miss obvious things for professional players. And on the other side, everything was falling. »

Facing a Spanish team in full form, Élan paid dearly for their imprecision, without giving up on intensity or commitment.

« Badalone wasn’t that far above us basketball-wise »

Despite the 32-point defeat, Elric Delord wanted to qualify the hierarchy seen on the court. « They were better than us, obviously. But they’re not 32 points above us, » he insisted, mentioning a scenario that could have been different with more typical accuracy on the Catalan side. « If they hit at a more ‘normal’ rate, the gap is tighter. »

An assertive discourse, far from the caricature often associated with heavy defeats. « When you’re in high-level sports, if we lose it’s because we were bad, and if we take a beating, it’s because we were nobodies. The truth is quite different, » he emphasized to Xavier Collin after checking in with his players in the locker room.

A working foundation despite the doubt

In a context of fragile confidence, the Burgundy coach also saw positive signals. « I found the guys committed despite our current mindset, where we’re doubting a bit. I saw a desire to do well. » For him, this performance should serve as a foundation going forward. « This should serve as our base for upcoming challenges. »

Grant Golden and the shock of the highest level

New recruit and the only true center in the roster, Grant Golden (6’10 », 28 years old) experienced a difficult but encouraging baptism of fire. « His first stint shows the extent of what he can bring us. Judging a player who has had one and a half practices with us, all against Badalone… But yes, he has a really good game, » highlighted Delord, also appreciating the collective attitude around him.

Grant GOLDEN

12

PTS

7

REB

1

AST

JOV

10775

CHA

Facing an experienced Joventut, led by Ricky Rubio, Ante Tomic and Sam Dekker, Élan measured the demands of the highest European level. « It’s a reminder of what a great basketball team is. They are in complete control, » acknowledged the Chalon coach.

He also discussed individual learning, particularly for French international Lionel Gaudoux. « I saw him with a dazed look. Logical: he had never been confronted with this level. You enter your discomfort zone. »

Focus on Cholet and the rest of the Top 16

This first Top 16 defeat doesn’t yet have direct consequences in the standings, but the task looks difficult in a tough group with Badalone and Malaga (which signed its 14th consecutive victory on Wednesday). Before thinking about a possible revenge at the Colisée, Élan Chalon will first need to remobilize in Betclic ÉLITE against Cholet. « That’s good timing because Cholet, coming Saturday, hits hard, » concluded Elric Delord, calling for a return to fundamentals: « the fight. »