Basketball / National 2 (1/4 final): Facing Berck, BB Marmande wants to write another historic page

Let’s be clear, it may not be the Lot-et-Garonne team that we were expecting at this play-off party. With measured caution, a certain efficiency and incredible determination, the « blue and white » went through the stages one by one to open the doors to the play-offs of this French championship. Without asking anything from anyone for this club which was aiming – at the start of the year – for the Top 5. And here are the boys of coach Alexandre Palfroy at the gates of National 1. Incredible but true. For this, the Lot-et-Garonne will have to overcome the pitfall of this team from Berck. It will not be a cakewalk against this club which finished first in the ranking of all National 2 groups (and 9th for BB Marmande).

Yes, in front of its supporters, the BBM will rub shoulders with the best in National 2. A real ogre who easily assumes the costume of big favorite. It takes more to demotivate Arnaud Bruzac and his partners.

However, the Marmandais have no choice and will have to make a « coup » to keep hope in this quarter-final. Indeed, they will play the return match (and the eventual beautiful one) on the Côte d’Opale, next weekend. You might as well keep a chance by winning this first round.

A fearsome defense

To achieve their ends, the « blue and white » will have to continue to play with their hearts and their guts. As they have done for several meetings, throw all their strength to get around this Berck defense. The best of the N2 all hens combined (with 1,747 points collected). A sector where the boys of Palfroy point to 27th place (with 1,971 points collected).

Offensively, the Lot-et-Garonnais took over. Seventh attack of the N2, the Marmandais scored 2,157 points against 2,133 for the Berckois (10th).

In this sector, the premises will have to be the will-o’-the-wisps to disrupt the beautiful opposing organization. However, it will take more to surprise the visiting collective led by Laurent Kleefstra (the former coach of Toulouse).

In the racket, the locals will have to be imperial to leave nothing behind against a team that does not need gifts. The triplet composed of Arthur Ekanu, Jérémy Nicolas and Thomas Seguela will be keen to take over. They will then have to be intractable in the defensive sector. The « blue and white » must erect an impassable wall in particular to « cut » the inclinations of winger Kayode Ajenufuja, Berck’s main asset. Visitors also have gunners who are formidable in long-range shooting. All with a playmaker Florian Chapuy very often untenable.

Driven by adrenaline

Completely mobilized, the Marmandais do not want to stop there. Being able to rely on experienced players to take this new step like Eddy Steiner or Rémi Menville, the « blue and white » will have to play without false note. Stojilkovic, Couzigou and others will have to be at their peak. And with this little grain of madness that accompanied them, nothing is impossible for the BBM. At this point, they have nothing more to prove. They can approach this match (the last in their room of this long season) without any pressure. Except that of taking immeasurable pleasure carried by an audience who will still have a determining role in this den which will literally ignite. By winning in their room, this Saturday evening, the boys of Alexandre Palfroy would also keep all their chances of going up to N1. The dream can continue as the BBM continues to write the most beautiful page in its history. And up there, they can count on a star…