Quimper, Antibes and Orleans win away, Roanne and Blois victorious at home
The 2025-2026 ELITE 2 season is underway. After Vichy’s success at Caen on Thursday, the other nine games of the first round took place on Friday September 19, without broadcast due to Keemotion technical issues. Between favorites confirming their status, promoted teams surprising, and standout individual performances, the championship has shown its first face.
Orleans lives up to expectations at Nantes
Among the promotion contenders, Orleans Loiret Basket perfectly launched their season by winning authoritatively at Nantes (72-87). Coach Thomas Drouot’s men started strongly, already leading 14-43 by the 16th minute. Though Nantes thought they could come back thanks to Kyle Riddley and Matyis Kangudia (67-75, 34th), Orleans controlled the end of the game relying on collective ball movement (27 assists).
Victoire de l’OLB pour cette première journée de championnat ! 🔥
Très dominants durant les 20 premières minutes, les Orléanais auront parfaitement su gérer leur avance au retour des vestiaires !
📊 17 points pour Ludo, 16 chacun pour Lorenzo et Tomi !#TousOLB pic.twitter.com/ZZybHCrckK
— OrléansLoiretBasket (@OLB45) September 19, 2025
Blois carried by Jeu de Paume’s frenzy
At home, ADA Blois secured an important first win against SCABB (85-81). Without Fabien Damase, David Morabito’s players compensated with their outside shooting (15/37 from 3-point range). Jonas Boulefaa hit a decisive three-pointer late in the game to give his team the lead (80-79). The evening was even more special as Talis Soulhac celebrated his 19th birthday in front of an electric crowd.
Quimper strikes at Evreux, Pau holds off Challans
Newly promoted Quimper won at Evreux (72-87), led by Terrell Gomez’s 18 points. The Rams had already killed the suspense by halftime (+21, 28-49) after a strong start (13-27, 10th). The other promoted team, Challans, kept up with Pau for long but their 27 turnovers proved costly in the end (77-67).
Antibes and Champagne Basket successful in their debut
Antibes won a tight game at Poitiers (79-87). Trailing late (71-67, 34th), the Sharks relied on a decisive duo: Bathiste Tchouaffé (15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals) and Shekinah Munanga (24 points in 21 minutes). Champagne Basket narrowly won against Hyères-Toulon (81-80) thanks to Maël Hamon-Crespin’s 20 points.
✅ 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗲
La Chorale s’impose pour la première de la saison d’Élite 2 face à Aix-Maurienne (79-73)
👉 On enchaîne dès mardi 20h, avec la réception de Rouen !#ChoraleNation #Elite2 pic.twitter.com/qezHCIJ4BH
— Chorale Roanne Basket (@ChoraleRoanne) September 19, 2025
Rouen solid, ASA maintains momentum
At home, Rouen dominated Stade Rochelais (85-77) by dominating the rebounding battle (47 to 29). Last season’s surprise playoff finalist, Alliance Sport Alsace confirmed their defensive identity by holding Denain to 35% shooting to win 76-69. Finally, Roanne defeated Aix-Maurienne (79-73) with five players scoring between 10 and 12 points.
ELITE 2 Round 1 Results:
Vichy – Caen: 75-68
Roanne – Aix-Maurienne: 79-73
Blois – SCABB: 85-81
Nantes – Orleans: 72-87
Denain – Alliance Sport Alsace: 69-76
Champagne Basket – Hyères-Toulon: 81-80
Poitiers – Antibes: 79-87
Evreux – Quimper: 72-87
Élan béarnais – Challans: 77-67
Rouen – Stade Rochelais: 85-77
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