What you need to know about Basket Landes’ opponents before the competition begins

Before returning to the François-Mitterand venue, Basket Landes assistant coach Shona Thorburn deciphers the forces involved in this Group B, which includes the reigning European champions (Sopron) among the other three quarter-finalists last season. (Girona, Schio and Salamanca) and a semi-finalist team in the European Cup (CBK Mersin).

Basketball Landes

“What is certain is that we will have more chances to win at home because…

Before returning to the François-Mitterand venue, Basket Landes assistant coach Shona Thorburn deciphers the forces involved in this Group B, which includes the reigning European champions (Sopron) among the other three quarter-finalists last season. (Girona, Schio and Salamanca) and a semi-finalist team in the European Cup (CBK Mersin).

Basketball Landes

“What is certain is that we will have a better chance of winning at home because our supporters here are always incredible. I even think we have a chance to win every game at home. We have potential and like last year we will try to win as many matches as possible. Even in the top 4, it will be difficult to qualify (smiles), just like last season (seven wins and seven losses, editor’s note). But it is easier for us to start such a big race at home. »

Girona

“I’m happy to play against the Spaniards of Girona and not against Villeneuve-d’Ascq (1), because ESBVA is a more physical team, I think. Facing at least four times in the same format (Women’s League and Euroleague, editor’s note) and winning each time is always complicated. It’s more like not facing French teams in Eurocups. Then Girona is a nice city, we can have some fun (laughs). We know that we will find a very good team, especially Marianna Tolo. They also have Shay Murphy: he hasn’t played in Europe for two years and will be on top in two months because he’s back to playing 5×5 basketball. They also have very good Spanish players, still young but have grown in recent months. They are in good form as they have already played two Europa League games and three league games (three wins), started their preparations in August and have already played some important matches. Apart from Marianna Tolo (at the World Cup with Australia, editor’s note), they had already almost completed their squad. This is going to be a big piece, so it’s best to start at home. »

Parfumeria Avenida

“Spanish Salamanca doesn’t have last year’s team, especially with the departures of Kahleah Copper and Karlie Samuelson, and I think they have a more individual, one-on-one game than in previous years. The focus is because in two years they’ve finished in the top four and made the Final Four. they play. They also have a very good coach (Roberto Iniguez, last season was named Euroleague coach of the year for the second time in a row, editor’s note), has a lot of experience in Euroleague. But it’s good because Salamanca is also a very nice city (laughs). »

“Of course, they have five or six exceptional players, but we must not forget that there is only one ball on the pitch.”

CBK Mersin

“This Turkish team, which lost in the “Final Four” of the European Cups last season, is one of the two big teams in Europe and for me it is the favorite of the group. They also have money, they have pressure, they also attracted football players who played in Russia. Of course, they have five or six exceptional players, but we must not forget that there is only one ball on the field (laughs). I watched a few matches from last season, they have crazy fans too. But we liked this atmosphere and saw how it was with Fenerbahce last year. »

Family Schio

“The Italians changed a few players like Sandrine Gruda, but they still have the best Italian players. They may not start the competition well, but they are a club that could sign a player or two and completely transform their squad. Be careful because they still have Giorgia Sottana, Kim Mestdagh or Keix, their big Italians… This is already a good team and we haven’t forgotten the first big defeat last season (96-56). We were a bit of a spectator on our debut in the Euroleague, it won’t be like that again. »

“It’s the Euroleague and in a month they can sign one or two players and it changes the team”

Kangoeroes Mechelen

“This Belgian club has just signed Lisa Berkani (who is at the World Cup in Australia with France, editor’s note) and that could affect her game. This is a team we can get two wins against. But they have to say the same about Basket Landes. . It’s not a very long trip and it’s nice to go to Belgium. They also have two or three promising Belgian internationals.”

sopron

“This is not last year’s team (they lost Gabby Williams, editor’s note) and it still doesn’t show the same level we saw in the European Super Cup in Burgess (65-44). But this is the Euroleague and in a month they can sign one or two players and that changes the team. They still have Jelena Brooks, Zsofia Fegyverneky, American Sykes. Their foreign players need to get used to the European game and this team needs to strengthen with a string of matches in the coming weeks. I also have great respect for their coach (David Gaspar). »

DVTK HUN-Therm

My first year here with Julie (Barennes, 2019) we played against Miskolc in the European Cup. This is a team that took time to grow and is now in the Euroleague. They exited the qualifying round (80-54 against Elizur Landko Ramla and 74-54 against Botaş SK, editor’s note). It’s a team with four or five good players, but a bit of a bench. This trip is not easy because we leave Toulouse and then we still have more than two hours by car to get there in Budapest. They have a nice little room that is always full. Moreover, it is a match before the Christmas break, which is never easy, as we saw last year in the trip to Kursk (75-57 loss). »

(1) “Girona” defeated Villeneuve-d’Ascq in the first round of the qualifying round: 57-69, then 66-43.