Basket Landes eliminated from EuroLeague Final Six after hostile reception in Zaragoza
The Spanish players were fired up in front of their fans.
Photo credit: EuroLeague Women
The adventure ends here for Basket Landes. Their long-awaited EuroLeague Women Final Six campaign lasted just one day, as the French team was eliminated in their opening game against tournament hosts Zaragoza. Despite the support of 1,200 traveling fans who crossed the Pyrenees from Mont-de-Marsan, they were vastly outnumbered by Spanish supporters in the Pabellón Príncipe Felipe.
« It’s huge for us to feel supported like this, we know it’s going to give us strength, » Marie Pardon had told L’Équipe before the match. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough against a Zaragoza team that imposed their fast-paced game from the start.
French players shine for Zaragoza
Adding insult to injury, Zaragoza relied heavily on their French players to secure the victory. While Carla Leite was limited to just three minutes due to an elbow to the cheek, Aminata Gueye scored 17 points, and Ornella Bankole delivered an exceptional performance, setting a career-high in EuroLeague with 16 points and a 20 efficiency rating.
« There will be a particular flavor, wanting to prove ourselves against a French club, » Leite had said before the match, proving prophetic regarding her compatriots’ performances.
Basket Landes struggled throughout the contest, unable to replicate their October 29th victory in northeastern Spain (63-65). « We’re taking good shots, but too quickly. I think they imposed that rhythm-wise. It’s up to us to impose what we want too… Defensively, we’re conceding a lot in the paint on switches, » Pardon admitted at halftime to NoA, with her team trailing by nine points.
Presidential outburst over crowd behavior
Beyond the on-court action, the match was marked by a strong reaction from Basket Landes president Audrey Lacroix regarding the hostile atmosphere. Speaking to France 3 Aquitaine at halftime, she didn’t mince words about the local crowd’s behavior.
« Frankly it’s a pathetic crowd, unworthy, contrary to the values of sport. It’s shameful that FIBA organizes matches here. For an entire half-time, we’re getting booed and given middle fingers, even us the executives. »
The tension remained high throughout the encounter, with invectives continuing until the final buzzer. Only Murjanatu Musa managed to stay afloat for the visitors, finishing with 19 points and a 22 efficiency rating.
Despite the disappointment, coach Julie Barennes attempted to put the defeat in perspective. « Zaragoza deserves to win. We tried our best but it wasn’t enough. The girls should be proud, » she told Sud-Ouest. The elimination doesn’t diminish Basket Landes‘ incredible season, having qualified for their first-ever EuroLeague Women Final Six in club history.
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