Vichy starts ELITE 2 season with win in Caen, but Elian Benitez leaves injured
Sept. 18, 2025
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve
Caen misses its opening game against Vichy: « A failed first outing » according to Stéphane Eberlin
ELITE 2 - Highly anticipated this season, Caen BC was surprised by Vichy (68-75) this Thursday, September 18 at the Sports Palace. Stéphane Eberlin and Clément Cavallo didn't hide their frustration after this opening defeat.
Photo Credit : Caen Basket Calvados
Caen BC, announced as a serious outsider in ELITE 2 this season, missed its first championship game. Defeated at home by Vichy (68-75), the Normandy team confirms the difficulties already seen in the French Cup. Between tension, lack of toughness and inability to impose their rhythm, Stéphane Eberlin’s players acknowledged their shortcomings.
« A failed first outing »
For coach Stéphane Eberlin, the assessment is clear: his team missed its entrance. « It’s a failed first outing, that’s for sure. Our start to the game wasn’t good at all defensively. We give them too much space and above all, we concede 15 offensive rebounds. That’s way too many and it’s been going on for several games, » he regretted in Ouest-France.
The Norman coach also points out the lack of relaxation and offensive fluidity: « We were chasing the score a lot and we never managed to free ourselves. We struggled to find rhythm, even though we finished with 20 assists. This defeat is hard to digest but Vichy deserves its success. It’s up to us to bounce back on Friday against Rouen. »
✅ It was SOLD OUT for the Season Opener
The last online ticket was sold at 7:07 PM 👏A big THANK YOU for this support 🫶
✅ The CBC-ROUEN game on 09.26 is sold out
🔖 Tickets for the 3 October MATCHES at the Palace will go on sale Tue Sept 23 at 12:30 PM. pic.twitter.com/l2l5OPIrJp— Caen Basket Calvados (@CaenBC14) September 19, 2025
Cavallo: « We got walked all over »
Experienced captain, Clement Cavallo also acknowledged a missed entrance: « We had this excitement and pressure to do well. It made us tense and we played the first quarter holding back. We conceded 23 points, that’s way too many. »
Against a Vichy team true to its combative style, Caen didn’t find sufficient weapons. « They came with their ideas and imposed them. In some areas, we got walked all over. It’s frustrating because we finally had the full roster. The team needs to gel, injured players need to find their rhythm. »
For Cavallo, who comes from winning the ELITE 2 (Pro B) championship, there’s real room for improvement: « When we took the lead, we lacked that extra push to widen the gap. It’s frustrating to lose at home but we must learn from our mistakes and continue to seek that chemistry. We have ambition, it’s up to us to show a better face. »
Caen will be eager to redeem itself in its next game, against neighboring Rouen. To finally start its season?
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve est le fondateur et rédacteur en chef de BeBasket, qu’il anime depuis 2010 (sous le nom de Catch & Shoot). Passé par l’Ecole Publique de Journaliste de Tours, puis deux universités en Amérique du Nord, il a pu développer son expertise sur le basket français, de la Ligue Nationale aux divisions amateurs, durant ces 20 dernières années. En parallèle, il est aussi engagé dans le développement de clubs du côté de Montpellier.
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