ELITE 2 Basketball: Shifting Power Dynamics as League Leaders Stumble
A dramatic shakeup is underway in France’s ELITE 2 basketball league, as the former frontrunner falters and a new wave of contenders emerge. Recent upsets, particularly on Friday, November 21st, have significantly tightened the race for the top spots, setting the stage for a compelling second half of the season following a two-week break before the 13th game day on December 5th.
The Fall of Orléans and the Rise of Challengers
The landscape of the league has been altered by a series of unexpected defeats. On November 21st, league-leading Orléans suffered a loss, alongside fellow top teams Blois and Roanne. This collective stumble has narrowed the gap between teams, injecting a renewed sense of suspense into the competition. Several teams, including Denain and Châlons-Reims, are now poised to challenge for the top positions.
Champagne Basket Stuns Blois in Thrilling Finish
One of the most notable results of the evening was Champagne Basket’s hard-fought victory at home against Blois. Described as a victory “of character,” the game culminated in a dramatic finish, with Steven Verplancken hitting a crucial 3-point shot (12 points total) followed by a game-sealing dunk from Tidjan Keita (also with 12 points) in the final five seconds. Blois’ young star, Such a soul here (13 points), may dwell on a late turnover that proved costly.
Roanne’s Late Collapse and Philipp-Parmentelot’s Dominance
Roanne also experienced a heartbreaking defeat, conceding a 6-0 run in the final minute against Denain. Throughout the match, they struggled to contain the dynamic duo of Philipp-Parmentelot, who combined for 38 points with impressive shooting efficiency and minimal turnovers (only one lost ball between them).
Hyères-Toulon Delivers Upset Victory Over Undefeated Orléans
However, the biggest upset of the night belonged to Hyères-Toulon, who ended Orléans’ impressive undefeated streak, which had stretched back to September, with a 74-70 victory. The team limited Orléans to just 70 points and forced an astounding 18 turnovers. Following the game, the Orléans coach lamented the team’s fatigue, stating, “We had difficulty running, finding rhythm because of fatigue… It’s frustrating because if we are in full possession of our means, I think we take it. We should never have played three matches this week.” The coach pointed to a demanding schedule – games against Vichy, Caen, and Hyères-Toulon within a short timeframe – as a contributing factor.
Antibes and Poitiers Continue Ascent
Antibes is making a strong push towards its goal of reaching the playoffs, securing an 88-82 win over Rouen. Baptiste Tchouaffé led the charge, setting a new personal record with 33 points, shooting an exceptional 9-for-14 from the 3-point line. The Sharks now sit in 9th position, tied with four other teams.
Poitiers also demonstrated its strength with an 89-77 victory over Aix-Maurienne. A coach shared that during a timeout, while down by 10 points in the first quarter, Ivan Ramljak (21 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) confidently declared, “we’re going to win the game.”
Bottom of the Table Trends Solidify
At the other end of the spectrum, the relegation battle is taking shape. ASA ended La Rochelle’s previously unblemished home record with a 76-87 win, while Quimper and Saint-Chamond further pressured Challans and Évreux, pushing them closer to the relegation zone.
