Basketball teams across the regional divisions are preparing for the eighth-finals of the Coupe AWBB, featuring matchups for sides ranging from winless league contenders to regional division teams, L’Avenir reported.
Natoye Targets Cup Success to Reset League Struggles
Still seeking its first victory in league play, Natoye travels to face Huy B, which holds a five-point handicap, on Saturday at 17:00 local time (16:00 UTC). Head coach Boris Despeghel emphasized that the cup fixture serves as an immediate opportunity to rebuild squad confidence and rediscover on-court rhythm. “This match must absolutely serve to help us find confidence and pleasure on the terrain,” Despeghel stated. The game also provides a platform for players to confirm recent offensive gains while helping struggling teammates regain their shooting touch. Natoye takes confidence from a recent benchmark set by higher-tier competition, noting that the club’s R1 team defeated Huy by 20 points three weeks prior.
Ciney Seeks Cup Upset After Narrow Defeat to Huy
The headline fixture of the eighth-finals brings Huy head-to-head with Ciney on Saturday at 19:00 local time (18:00 UTC). While Huy enters the contest as the clear favorite, Ciney arrives with mounting momentum following steady improvement over recent weeks. The Blues secured their first championship victory during the Condroz derby, coming shortly after they pushed Huy to the limit in a narrow 65-62 defeat. Those resilient performances have fueled aspirations of pulling off an upset and securing a berth in the quarterfinals.
Namur B Guards Against R2 Upset at Herve-Battice
Following a two-week break from competitive action, Namur B returns to the floor on Saturday at 19:00 local time (18:00 UTC) to face R2 side Herve-Battice B, which holds a 10-point handicap. Namur coach Nina Crelot warned her players against complacency despite the division gap. “Attention, because it is always difficult to play at Herve-Battice,” Crelot cautioned. “To avoid scaring ourselves and running too long behind the score, we will have to be serious from the start and impose our intensity, given the difference in divisions. I don’t want to go there just to make an appearance. I want to leave with the victory.”
Boninne Visits La Rulles in Luxembourg Encounter
Boninne travels to face La Rulles’ R1 squad on Sunday at 12:00 local time (11:00 UTC) with a five-point handicap in its favor. Although La Rulles sits in the lower reaches of the R1 standings, Boninne coach David Roussaux cautioned against underestimating the opposition on their home court. “Even if La Rulles occupies the bottom of the classification in R1, it is never easy to impose oneself in their room,” Roussaux noted. Recalling past encounters defined by full-court pressure, Boninne tailored its training sessions to counter that defensive strategy. “We are favorites on paper, but we must be wary of Luxembourg teams,” Roussaux added.
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