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They did it! Battus (76-69) last week in Greece in the quarter-round of the BCL, the Champions League organized by the International Basketball Federation, Nanterre players took revenge this Wednesday, April 16 during the return match. A brilliant victory (82-70), in an atmosphere of fire, which allows them to win a capital support match in a week on the AEK prosecution.
Ten years after winning its first European title – Eurochallenge in Türkiye -, Nanterre can still hope to relive the intoxication of a Continental Four Final. This time in BCL, evening the 3rd level of club competitions on the old continent after the Euroligue and the Eurocoupe.
“The boys have been transcended so as not to have any regrets,” applauds coach Philippe Da Silva. There is nothing worse than saying that we could have but that we leave with nothing. They showed that they had character. I'm very proud of their attitude tonight (Wednesday). We have shown that we were warriors, solidarity throughout the match. It is a deserved victory, we deserve to go to the Final Four. »»
The match was played in an atmosphere of the big evenings, with a noisy room and much to crack. Due to the poster, the stake and the boiling supporters. Arriving near the Sports Palace, the spectators were welcomed – and meticulously searched – by several dozen security agents, police and CRS. The police present in number to ensure calm. The strong and ancient links between supporters of AEK and Olympique de Marseille indeed feared overflows.
In the stands the banners of the Greeks were hung alongside those of the Marseillais. Despite the excavations, some had managed to return with smoke bombs (causing thick smoke in the room in the 4th quarter). A permanent show where supporters of each camp were constantly responding … sometimes with bird names …
Everything will be played in Greece.
Spectacle in the stands and on the prosecution too. After a muddled match start, where they are quickly pushed back to more than 10 lengths (13-24, 9th), the players of Philippe Da Silva ring the revolt at the heart of the second act. Desi Rodriguez, from a raging dunk allowed Nanterre to take the lead for the first time in the match (32-31, 17th). In the wake Benjamin Sène investigated two 3-point baskets and Nanterre flew (42-33, 20th) before returning to the locker room.
After the break, the Nanterriens maintained the pressure and the gap thanks to a defense of fire. Just over two minutes from the buzzer, the partners of William Howard (author of 22 points, his record of the genre in Nanterre) had laid hands on match (78-64, 37th). Nothing could prevent them from tearing off victory. Not even the white smoke (following the cracking of a smoke) which filled the room and transformed it into a worthy stage of a derby of the Greeks of the 80s.
“There was an incredible noise,” appreciates Da Silva. These are significant moments for any club, any player, coach or even support. It was a real communion. It is for these moments that we want to do this profession. »»
Everything will be played in a week in Greece. A victory and Nanterre will win his sesame for the Final Four. If such a scenario occurs, this final final will be held at the Adidas Arena in Paris from May 9 to 11.
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