D21: Denain travels to Nantes
This Friday January 30for the 21st day of Elite 2, l’Hermine Nantes Basket welcomes Denain Voltaire for a duel that promises to be exciting La Trocardière. A clash between a Nantes collective in search of regularity on its floor and an ambitious Denais team, eager to find consistency.
Although generally playing the return phase between the middle of the table and the race for the playoffs, Nantes shows positive signs despite some irregularities. At the dawn of this 21st day, Hermine displays an overall record close to balance (11 victories for 9 defeats), with a more encouraging dynamics recently namely two successes during the last two days.
Nantes will seek to confirm this ascending form in front of its audienceafter notably good performances against Gries-Souffel or Ada Blois. The ambition is clear, Nantes wants to take valuable points at home to climb the standings and stay in the race for a place in the playoffs.
Player to watch: Mathys Kangudia
The Nantes fullback is one of the team’s main point providers, capable of turning a match on its head with his shots and his constant offensive presence.
Statistics on the first leg: 17.3 pts – 1.7 reb – 3.4 ast
Pour Denain Voltairethe reception of Nantes is an important step after a narrow defeat at home against Poitiers (83-86) during J20. The Dragons remain 5th in the championshipand despite this slightly frustrating setback, they the ability to bounce back quickly.
After a mixed start to the return phase with some poor performances, Denain must rediscover its collective identity and its defensive aggressiveness which were its strength earlier in the season. Continuing to be competitive on the road will be essential.
Denain dominated Nantes in the first leg on their home court (93-86) in a close duel until the end, showing the Dragons’ ability to make the difference in money time.
Player to watch: Romain Parmentelot
Already an offensive leader during the first part of the season, Romain remains one of Denain’s major assets with his ability to score and organize the game in key moments.
Statistics on the first leg: 13.3 pts – 2.9 reb – 3.9 ast
Stakes of the match
- For Nantes : win at home to secure their place at the top of the table and continue a positive series which would allow them to aim for qualification in the playoffs.
- For Denain : erase the disappointment of the J20 and show that they are still solid candidates for a place in the top 5 / top 4, while recovering collective confidence before important confrontations.
