Mersin, Türkiye – The Lattes-Montpellier BLMA face a daunting task this Wednesday, March 4th at 6 p.m. Local time, needing to overcome a two-point deficit and win by at least three points against Mersin in the second leg of the EuroCup Women semi-final. The stakes are high: a place in the European final hangs in the balance. This crucial contest comes just days after a painful defeat in the Coupe de France, adding to the pressure on the Hérault club.
Sunday’s 68-76 loss to Villeneuve-d’Ascq in the Coupe de France was a bitter blow for BLMA, a competition they held close to their hearts. The defeat, whereas perhaps expected given the flow of the match, clearly impacted the team, with several players visibly emotional at the final whistle. Now, they must quickly refocus and channel that energy into a EuroCup victory on Turkish soil. The challenge is significant, as Mersin proved to be a tough opponent in the first leg, securing a narrow 68-70 win at the Palais des Rencontres.
The EuroCup Women competition remains very much alive, according to BLMA coach Valéry Demory. “The Euro Cup is not over, it’s happening very quickly,” he stated. “In Mersin, it won’t be easy, but it’s still a basketball match.” Captain Romane Bernies echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the narrow margin of the first leg. “We are only two points away. In 40 minutes, a lot of things can happen. It’s up to us to look at what went wrong. We held them well in the first leg.”
A Difficult Stretch for the BLMA
The BLMA are currently navigating a demanding schedule, competing in three different competitions simultaneously. This heavy workload appears to be taking its toll, as the team has suffered six consecutive defeats. This losing streak comes at a critical juncture in the season, testing the resilience of both players and coaching staff. Demory acknowledged the team’s struggles, stating, “I know why we lost. We’re going to try to work on our weak points. Basketball remains a sport of skill. What bothers me is that we had prepared this week very carefully. We had two good matches, but there was something missing to get through.”
The team can draw inspiration from the example of Basket Landes, another French team that secured a victory on Turkish soil earlier this season, albeit by a single point (69-70). BLMA’s roster features key players like Samantha Breen, currently leading the team in efficiency with a score of 16.6 and Nell Angloma, the team’s top scorer with an average of 14.4 points per game. Garance Rabot also plays a crucial role, leading in rebounds with 7.3 per game and steals with 2.9 per game.
Key Stats for BLMA in the EuroCup Women 2025-26
| Category | Player | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Samantha Breen | 16.6 |
| Points | Nell Angloma | 14.4 |
| Rebounds | Garance Rabot | 7.3 |
| Assists | Romane Bernies | 4.7 |
| Steals | Garance Rabot | 2.9 |
The BLMA’s ability to overcome this recent slump and execute their game plan effectively in Mersin will be crucial. The team will necessitate to capitalize on their strengths – particularly the scoring prowess of Angloma and Breen, and the all-around contributions of Rabot and Bernies – to secure the necessary three-point victory. The BLMA website confirms that all of their EuroCup Women games are available to watch for free on the FIBA Basketball YouTube channel.
Looking ahead, the BLMA will need to regroup and refocus regardless of Wednesday’s outcome. The team’s schedule remains packed, and maintaining a competitive edge across multiple fronts will require a collective effort and a renewed commitment to their goals. The result in Mersin will undoubtedly shape their trajectory for the remainder of the season.
What do you think? Can BLMA overcome the odds and secure a spot in the EuroCup Women final? Share your thoughts in the comments below and share this article with fellow basketball fans.
