Twenty years since this happened: a French team in the final of the Women’s Euroleague, the most prestigious of the European Basketball Cups. Villeneuve-d’Ascq offered itself the right to fight for the title after its victory over USK Prague (84-78), Friday April 12, in Mersin (Turkey).
The Northerners did not allow themselves to be overwhelmed by the pressure. They were playing in the very first “Final Four” in their history, facing opponents making their third semi-final in three years.
“We have proven all season that we deserve to be here and that we can beat the best teams,” insisted, on the eve of the match, American midfielder Kennedy Burke, the top scorer for the “Guerrières” in Europe. this season (15.4 points on average).
Paradoxically her teammates did it without her shining against Prague (6 points). Nor the rising star of French basketball, Janelle Salaün, who collected 15 points but often forced her shots (6/13).
“Continue to share”
But with the 18 units of Kamiah Smalls, the 14 of Kariata Diaby, the 11 of Shavonte Zellous and the nine of Caroline Hériaud, the regular season leaders of the French championship followed the precepts of their coach Rachid Meziane.
“We must continue to share as we have done so far with six players averaging more than 10 points in all competitions. That’s a bit of the idea without revealing the whole game plan,” smiled the man who is also Belgium coach after the meeting.
To imitate Valenciennes – crowned in 2004 – Villeneuve-d’Ascq will have to defeat Fenerbahçe, defending champion, or local team Mersin, opposed in the other semi-final this Friday, on Sunday.
