Tough for Bourges Basket

I cannot remember the last time Bourges Basket lost back to back games in the LFB.

A defeat in overtime (81-84) against Arras at home during the weekend was followed by a road defeat against Aix-en-Provence (62-56).

With just two weeks before the EuroLeague starts, all is not rosy for Pierre Vincent and his troops.

At the moment Arras, Mondeville and Tarbes are the pace setters with the 3 wins each.

Lindsey Taylor who is one of the tallest players in women's basketball is leading the scoring charts with 21 points per match at the moment. She is playing for Nantes-Rezé who are 1 and 2 for the season

We are back

This is just a short message to say that this blog is back in action after several months of inactivity.

The French League is coming to it climax. Bourges Basket are still dominating the pace but they are no less than 7 teams still in the battle for the 3 other places although Montpellier and USVO are well placed.

The French Cup has also started.

For those looking for news French basketball news between my last post in December and now I recommend that you have a look at www.womensbasketball-in-France.com.

The site is new and is very current on LFB news and the participation of French clubs in Europe. It has also started it coverage of the NF1

Bourges are setting the pace

After nine rounds Bourges are the only team that have a 100% after they defeated USVO (76-59) last weekend. They are now top of the table and with 3 games in advance of the teams in third place teams and can now concentrate on improving their EuroLeague standings.

1.	Bourges	18Pts	9m
2.	Valenciennes	17Pts	9m
3.	Challes	15Pts	9m
4.	Villeneuve	15Pts	9m
5.	Montpellier	14Pts	9m
6.	Mondeville	14Pts	9m
7.	Clermont	13Pts	9m
8.	Saint Amand	13Pts	9m
9.	Arras	13Pts	9m
10.	Tarbes	12Pts	9m
11.	Reims	12Pts	9m
12.	Calais	12Pts	9m
13.	Aix	11Pts	9m
14.	Mourenx	10Pts	9m

Mourenx with only one victory this season are in need of a victory soon as they are 3 games away from safety.

LFB: Round 5 table and Pascal Piscan is dismissed

After 5 rounds of the LFB, Bourges and Valenciennes continue to dominate the championship

1.	Bourges	10Pts	5m
2.	Valenciennes	10Pts	5m
3.	Challes	9Pts	5m
4.	Reims	9Pts	9m
5.	Clermont	8Pts	5m
6.	Mondeville	8Pts	5m
7.	Villeneuve	8Pts	5m
8.	Arras	8Pts	6m
9.	Montpellier	7Pts	5m
10.	Saint Amand	7Pts	5m
11.	Tarbes	6Pts	5m
12.	Aix	6Pts	5m
13.	Calais	6Pts	5m
14.	Mourenx	6Pts	5m

Reims and Arras have played a game more than the other teams. You can find

match reports

in English and a lot of other information about the LFB.

Tarbes have fired Pascal Piscan. This is the first sacking during the season in sometime. It appears he is paying the price for a poor start and all the problems with the signing of Icis Tillis

LFB News

The French domestic season is now well underway, after just 3 round of matches the Bourges and USVO are topping the table and are the only teams undefeated.

For those looking for information on team rosters in English then you should have a look the two pages on this site. 1and 2

The French clubs have been in Europe this week:
EuroLeague Women success for Bourges and Villeneuve and disappointment for Mondeville and USVO

In the EuroCup a good couple of nights with victores for all four teams, Aix-en-provence Challes-les-eaux, Montpellier and Tarbes.

Céline Dumerc is out of action for three weeks, Iveta Marcauskaite season is over (pregnant)

Five days to the start of the LFB

After the disappointment of Eurobasket 2007, fans of women's basketball in France have a watch all the teams over the coming weekend (October 27/28) in one venue. The matches will also be streamed live over the internet from either www.openlfb.com or WWW.basketfrance.com.

Many players from Eurobasket 2007, CAN 2007 and the Fiba American competition will be on display.

The venue:

Stade Pierre de Coubertin
82 avenue Georges Laffont
75016 Paris

Timetable

Saturday 27th

13h30 AIX-EN-PROVENCE – MOURENX
15h45 LATTES MONTPELLIER - ARRAS
18h15 TARBES – SAINT-AMAND
20h30 VALENCIENNES - REIMS


Sunday 28th

14h00 CLERMONT-FERRAND - VILLENEUVE D'ASCQ
16h15 CHALLES-LES-EAUX - MONDEVILLE
18h30 BOURGES – CALAIS


Commentary team
Francis Denis, Grégory Halin, Ivano Ballarina, Julien Guérineau, Fabrice Canet and Yann Kappes

Mourenx Basket Club are out of the LFB

Mourenx are not allowed to play in the LFB next season. They French Basketball Federation audits all clubs at the end of the season to make sure that everything concerning finances are in order. The Club had 10 days to appeal against the findings. The FFBB made an anoucement yesterday that the decision stands and that they will not be allowed to play in the LFB next season.

The club still have one more option for an appeal, so it is very unlikely that this matter is closed. In case of Mourenx not playing in LFB next seasons could mean that Nice are reinstated or another team from NF1 coming up.

USVO are champions again

A capacity crowd of 2800 witnessed the final match of the season and the end of Laurant Buffard’s reign at the head of USVO. Vicky Hall joined Evanthia Maltsi not at 100% as Bourges went all out to defend their title. There was not much in the end to choose between the two teams, Bourges poor performance at the free throw line 11-of-20 in the end was the difference between the two sides.

USVO 70 - 61 Bourges

In an exciting first period Cathy Melain and Florence Lepron combined for 10-points as they attempted to match the 11-points of USVO duo Sandrine Gruda – Emile Gomis. Kristi Harrower crisp passing made the difference as USVO (20-18) at the end of the first period. After some sharp words from Laureant Buffard, USVO improved defensively and kept their guest’s silent for more than 3 minutes as they added 7 points to their total. Not able to penetrate the USVO defence Bourges worked from the outside and managed to make an opening for Florence Lepron to hit a three (27-21) to end their barren spell. The game entered it scrappy phase with not many points coming from open play with USVO maintaining their advantage (35-28) at the interval.

With Maltsi playing on one foot and not as effective from the perimeter, it was Cathy Melain clutch shooting that silenced the home supporters as Bourges made a serious attempt of taking the match. With the momentum in favour of Bourges, not even the brief intervention of magic by Emile Gomis was to stop Bourges briefly taking the led (40-41) for the first time in the match after 26 minutes. The lead did not last long as Kristi Harrower released one of her trademark missiles from beyond the arc that stops team dead. For the next couple of minutes Bourges looked a little dead on their feet as USVO complied their second 7-0 of the night. And if not for some slack defending at the end of the period, they should have been leading by more than 4-points.

Bourges switched tactics in their final attempt to win this match, they took the battle into the heart of the USVO defence with Emmeline Ndongue , then Vicki Hall and finally Endéné Miyem working hard to score on the inside while Sandrine Gruda and Emile Gomis kept responding for USVO. With the score (58-55) and 5 minutes left Laurent Buffard called for a time out. On the next play Sandrine Gruda scored the first of six unanswered points (64-55) – similar to what happened in game 1 – leaving Bourges a mountain to climb in the remaining 90 seconds. Bourges were left with no option but to go for quick fouls to regain possession of the ball but their caused was not helped as USVO hit all their free throws to win again by nine points.

Emile Gomis top scored with 20-points, Kristi Harrower (14pts & 6 assists) while Sandrine Gruda and Vedrana Grgin-Fonseca finished with 11-points each. For Bourges Endéné Miyem had 14-points, Cathy Melain (13pts, 7rbs & 3 assists) and Florence Lepron (12pts & 7 assists)

USVO Take Game one after a Good nights Work by Sandrine Gruda

Bourges perfect home record for the season went tonight in a match that lived up to it tradition of past battles between the two clubs. Pierre Vincent demonstrated why he has been voted French coach of the year 2007, even without his captain Celine Dumerc and Vicki Hall, his team held on for 36 minute (55:55) with grit and determination. However USVO finished the match stronger on top of 9:0 with the first six points coming from Sandrine Gruda.

Before the match started the talk was about who was missing and who was not fit. USVO will be without Emmanuelle Hermouet for the rest of the series after she damaged knee ligaments on Sunday. Bourges had to wait on the result of a late fitness test for Evanthia Maltsi before naming their final line-up.

Bourges 55 - 64 Valenciennes (14:14, 21:16,10:17,10:17)

Sandrine Gruda was the star of the page, she scored USVO's first six-points in her first period haul of 8-points and she also scored 7 of the last 9 points of the evening as she finished with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

USVO quickly into their stride moved into an early lead (10-4) but were not able to sustain the pressure and allowed Bourges back into the match and the score was tied (14-14) after the first period. The Trio Maltsi, Sonja Kireta and Endéne Miyem piled on the pressure and Bourges opened up a lead (21-28)
mid way through the second period. Emile Gomis hit back with 5-points in consecutive plays before Kristi Harrower tied the game (28-28). Bourges still found the resource and energy to go back in front and went into the break with a five point lead thanks to Maltsi burying a 3 seconds before the end.

USVO took time to settle in the 3rd period and Bourges continued to lead (36-41) at the mid way point of the quarter. Krissy Bade then started the USVO charge as she hit 3-pointer to start a 9-0 run that put them back in front (45-41). Florence Lepron quiet until now drew a couple of fouls tied the game after two trips to the free throw line.

USVO went into the final period leading by 2 points but still found difficult to put Bourges away. After an intense battle that saw the game tied four times and two lead changes Sandrine Gruda took things into he own hands. With just over four minutes left and the score tied (55-55) she scored the next 6-points and all of a sudden Bourges looked tired. Pierre Vincent called a late timeout to try and safe the game but nothing worked and USVO made three trips to the free throw-line and scored 1-point on each trip to take the game.

Sandrine Gruda top scored with 21-points but she was well supported by Gomis (15pts) and Bade (12pts). Kristi Harrower had another solid game with 8pts, 11rebounds and 5 assists.

For Bourges Evathia Maltsi had 15-points and 5 assists, Miyem, Lepron and Kireta all finished with 10 points each. Kireta finished with game high 14 rebounds.

Sandrine Gruda and Hamchétou Maiga-ba are the LFB players of the year

(Sandrine Gruda - courtesy of Bellenger/IS/FFBB)

Since 1984 in association with the French league, Maxi-basket in collaboration the coaches and captains of the players in the elite division vote for who they think are the player of the season. In addition a panel of 10 journalists also make their selection. The 3 categories are French Player of the year, International player of the year and young player of the year (U20)

The 2007 awards in association with the LFB (Ligue Féminine de Basket) have made their choice.

Sandrine Gruda who won both awards last year that is French player of the year and junior player of the year has topped the polls for the second year. The 2007 Fiba European Young player of the year has had another fantastic season and on Sunday won her first piece of Silverware at club level when USVO won the French Cup.

The best international player award went to no other than Hamchétou-Maiga-ba (pictured right), the most consistent the player in the league this season. She inherits the award won by Tamika Whitmore.


French Player of the year

1. Sandrine GRUDA (Valenciennes) 143 points
2. Céline DUMERC (Bourges) 120 points
3. Géraldine ROBERT (Villeneuve-d’Ascq) 104 points

International Player Player of the year

1. Hamchétou MAÏGA-BA (Mondeville) 105 points
2. Cathy JOENS (Aix-en-Provence) 100 points
3. Kristen Brooke SHARP (Aix-en-Provence) 95 points

Young player of the year (1987 and younger)

1. Sandrine GRUDA (Valenciennes) 174 points
2. Endéné MIYEM (Bourges) 134 points
3. Pauline JANNAULT (Mondeville) 81 points

If you want to know more you will have to wait until 16th May went the next edition of Maxi basket comes out.

Montpellier changes name and structure for 2007-2008

Two seasons ago Montpellier escaped relegation from the elite division when it was decided to increase the number of teams in the top division to 14. Last season the team had the largest roster with 11 professional players and finished the season in 4th place.

Next season the amateur section of the club BLMM and the professional section LMAB will join forces and become one club under the name of Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomération (BLMA). This fusion will enable the club to have a budget of around 2 million Euro for next season. This amount will not be sufficient for them to take part in the Euroleague but adequate for another European season in the FIBA Euro Cup.

José Ruis will step down as head coach to take care of the "centre de formation" while Valery Dermory will become head coach. Valery was the head coach at Mourenx.

Six players from the current roster are still under contract and will remain at the club next season. An article on player movements will be published after the play-offs.

The new club has also opted to end their relationship with Adidas for another German group JAKO.

SPORT + and TPS Star will show LFB final live on French Television

The final series between Bourges and Valenciennes will shown live on Cable and Satellite television. Sport + cover the first two matches and if a third match is required then TPS Star will cover the final match.

The best of three series programme is as follows:


Wednesday 16 May 2007 (20:00 CET)
First Leg: Television Coverage by SPORT+
BOURGES (2) - VALENCIENNES (1)
Officials: Nicolas Maestre and Freddy Lepercq
Venue: Palais des sports du Prado
Commentators : Philippe Groussard and Jacques Commères

Friday 18 May 2007 (20:30 CET)
Second Leg: Television Coverage by SPORT+
VALENCIENNES (1) - BOURGES (2)
Officials: Nicolas Maestre and Freddy Lepercq
Venue: Salle du Hainaut
Commentators : Philippe Groussard and Jacques Commères

Sunday 20 May 2007 (19:00 if required)
Third Leg: Television Coverage by TPS STAR
VALENCIENNES (1) - BOURGES (2)
Officials:
Venue: Salle du Hainaut
Commentators : David Vengerder and Richard Dacoury

LFB: Bourges and USVO qualify for the final

Bourges were made to work hard last night as they overcome Villeneuve to maintain their 100% home record. Villeneuve started the game aggressively and opened up a 13-point lead by the end of the first period. Bourges are the masters of defence and have the best collective team in the league, they have a habit of exploiting other teams difficulty with ease. Villeneuve had key players in foul problem and Pierre Vicent called Sonja Kireta into action and she responded with 11 second quarter points as the home side came back into the match and only trailed by 5-points at the interval.

After the break, the guests went for broke as they tried to break down the defence but as they began to tire, they left holes in their own defence which was exploited by Bourges and by the time Florence Lepron hit the period end 3-point buzzer shot to bring it down to a 1-point game, it was clear that Bourges was not going to allow an upset.

The final period was very tactical with Abdou N'diaye changing systems at every play as his team attempted to hold on to the lead and with his side holding a slender lead (52:55) going into the last two minutes that they may just do it.

Bourges are fighter and came back with some big plays, first up Florence Lepron mid distance jumper, and then some very clever play by Cathy Melain to put them in front (56:55). Fatima Sacko then put Villeneuve back in front (56:57). With only 28 seconds remaining, Villeneuve still had time to win the tie but failed to foul an opponent for 20 seconds, Evanthia Maltsi converted her free throws and the chance of an upset was gone. Bourges went on to score again and win the match (59-57).

Bourges will meet USVO in the best of three final with the first leg at Bourges on the 16th May.


USVO played their second leg on Tuesday evening and held on to win the match by only 2-points. After a tight first half with USVO leading (34-32), Mondeville went on the offensive
and hit USVO (15-2) within 5 minutes with an excellent display of 3-point shooting. Laurent Buffard was not amused and called a time out and gave his players a serious talking too. What ever he said worked as USVO went to work and only trailed by 3-points going into the final period. In the final period Sandra Gruda stepped up and USVO regained the lead and held on to win the match (62-60)

LFB: Semifinal

(Emile Gomis Picture courtesy of Fiba Europe )

The LFB season is slowly coming to it conclusion. Only four teams are left in the hunt for the title: Defending champions Bourges, Regular season winners Valenciennes (USVO), Villeneuve D'ascq and Mondeville.

The first leg will take place this weekend with the number five seeds, Mondeville taking on number one seeds USVO, while in the other match the number 3 seeds, Villeneuve take on number two seed Bourges. The seeding is based on final positions after the regular season. The matches will tip off at 20:00 CET.

The second legs will be streamed live by the French Basketball Federation and can be viewed here
on the 8th and 9th of May at 20:00 CET

8 May: USVO - Mondeville
9 May: Bourges - Villeneuve