The Berruyères left Venice no chance to win their third Eurocup title.
And three! Bourges won the Eurocup on Thursday in its Prado room by dominating Venice 74 to 38, the third C2 in its history after 1995 and 2016, acquired after controlled competition. It is even the sixth European title for Tango, after the Euroleague domination at the turn of the century (1997, 1998 and 2001) which built the club’s continental record.
The Eurocup certainly has less prestige than the C1, but the victory won by the Berruyères in their lair validated an almost perfect score, based on an iron defense. From the start of the match, Sarah Michel set the tone for her teammates, pressing the Venetian backs to cause the loss of balls, intercepting the ball (six in total) or stealing it on the rebound (eight).
In its wake, the Berruyères led 17-12 at the end of the first quarter, then 38-29 at halftime. But it was in the second half that Bourges’ defense stifled Venice, when the gap grew to 17 points midway through the third quarter after a host of fruitless Italian possessions. Bourges only dropped nine points in the second period…
This defensive application has sometimes resulted in less lucidity in the offensive game, and a little haste. No matter, the young interior of the France team Iliana Rupert (20 years old) led the Tango: mid-distance shots, award-winning shots, hooks, assists, she made the Italian defense dizzy (25 points at 12/16 shooting, eight rebounds).
Under the eyes of the coach
It is also around her that the Berruyères possessions have often turned, especially after the injury four minutes before half-time by Alix Duchet. His exit was then a blow, as it had been crucial in the half victory against Galatasaray (19 pts). Rupert was therefore logically elected MVP at the end of the match, under the eyes of the coach of the Bleues Jean-Aimé Toupane.
This demonstration rewards a European campaign during which Bourges imposed its rhythm, losing only twice for twelve victories. This European coronation is perhaps even a harbinger of a national title, since the Berruyères are at the top of the women’s league (17 wins, two losses).