Three days after its great success against Angers (106-66) in the Championship, the ESBVA faltered on the Hungarian floor this Wednesday for the very first Euroleague quarter-final in its history. In Miskolc, the Guerrières started this clash (the first club with two victories qualifies for the Final Four) with a defeat (76-66), despite a good first quarter.
A great start from the Guerrières
The northern leaders Kennedy Burke and Shavonte Zellous quickly took matters into their own hands, scoring 16 of the ESBVA’s first 18 points (7-18, 6th) and quickly giving the French club a ten-length lead (14-26, 10th). But more impactful as the break approached, the Hungarians woke up and came back to two points (33-35, 18th). Reka Lelik then quickly equalized (35-35), while ESBVA remained more than three minutes without managing to score, scoring only 10 points in the second quarter (35-36 at half-time).
Returning from the locker room, it was Janelle Salaun who tried to sound the revolt, scoring four consecutive points (12 points in total) to give some fresh air (36-40, 22nd). But from the 25th minute, Kaila Charles (18 pts, 10 rebounds) will allow the Hungarian club to take the lead for the first time in the match (46-43), before Lelik (16 pts and 6 rebounds), skillful at 3 points twice, widens the gap (56-45, 27th), igniting the black wall of the DVTK Arena.
Diaby injured ankle?
The ESBVA will not return, even losing Kariata Diaby (11 pts and 5 rebounds), hit in the ankle (28th), who left the parking lot with the help of her teammates. The Northerners came back three lengths (62-59, 36th), but insufficient to overthrow the DVTK of Frenchwoman Ana Tadic (11 points and 8 rebounds). With 17 points, Burke finished top scorer and Maxuella Lisowa Mbaka, top rebounder (6 units) on the Villeneuve side.
The return match will take place on February 28 at the Palacium. The Guerrières will absolutely have to win to offer themselves a final decisive match on March 6, again in Hungary. To continue dreaming of a first Final Four for the northern club and become the first French club to climb into the European top 4 since Bourges in 2014.
2024-02-21 19:24:28
#Villeneuve #dAscq #beaten #Miskolc #leg #Euroleague #quarterfinal
