BLMA: “Now it’s war, you will have to be present on D-day”, Lattes-Montpellier begins its play-offs against the surprise Charnay

Elodie Naigre et les Gazelles seront favorites. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

Les Gazelles se déplacent à Charnay, ce vendredi (19 h), pour le quart de finale aller, pour prendre déjà une option sur une qualification en demi-finale.

The BLMA has been notified. Faced with Charnay, a team which has nothing left to lose, Lattes-Montpellier will have to be solid to overcome the surprise of the season and gain a certain advantage before returning to Lattes.

"It’s undeniably the surprise of the season. In this confrontation, it's the one who wants it the most, who will win,  summarizes BLMA coach, Valéry Demory.

After finishing in fourth place during the regular season, notably thanks to the collapse of Lyon (6 consecutive defeats) in the last matches, the Gazelles have the home advantage and will receive on their return, Tuesday, Charnay, fifth.

Alisia Jenkins returns

But before that, Romane Berniès' teammates will travel to the Cosec hall in Charnay-lès-Macon, this Friday (7 p.m.). "Now it's war, you'll have to be there on D-Day, warns the 60-year-old coach.

Since the departure of Badiane and the victory against Basket Landes (77-72), the Héraultaises have found the recipe and a new style to go with it.

A change of game also forced by the fact that Lattes-Montpellier is deprived inside with no pivot available.

J-8 Le 1/4 de finale aller approche à grand pas !

La billetterie est ouverte pour le match retour le 23 avril au Palais des Sports à 19h : https://t.co/5Q9NpXLSIH

En route vers la 1/2 !!!

💙🤍 #BLMA #GoGazelles #Playoffs pic.twitter.com/TeG0vLOMea

— BLMA (@BasketLMA) April 11, 2024

Unlike Charnay who made it his strength with his strong winger Shakayla Thomas (16 points and 6 rebounds on average).

For these play-offs, the Gazelles will count in their ranks the American Alisia Jenkins, back after a family problem in the United States. "At the&rsquo ;inside, things are a little better since Jenkins' return." assures Valéry Demory.

Villeneuve d’Ascq favorite for the title

The BLMA in the event of victory against à Charnay could face the winner of the match between Villeneuve d’Ascq and Angers. The Northerners, recent finalists of the Euroleague, finished at the top of the regular season and are heavily favored against France. des Angevines, qualified é the last day.

On the other side; In the table, Bourges, second, faces Tarbes, seventh. While the clash of the quarter-finals pits Lyon, sixth, against; Basket Landes, third.

The BLMA knows exactly how to beat the promoted. Indeed, Lattes-Montpellier won both clashes during the regular season (83-73; 90-74) and simply never lost to the Saône-et-Loire team in nine confrontations.

A precedent with Stéphane Leite

But the Charnaysiennes have nothing more to lose after qualifying for the play-offs going beyond their initial objective, maintenance.

The "Pinkies" are also coached by Stéphane Leite, a "previous" BLMA coach. The 36-year-old coach was chosen to lead the Gazelles in 2021 then left before his first match following a change in management at the club and replaced by a certain… hellip; Valéry Demory.

The BLMA group: Alston, Berniès, Brun, Caetano, Djoko, Jenkins, Naigre, Rabot, Touré, Zemoura. I subscribe to read more