“We haven't forgotten, it hit our ego”: BLMA receives champion Villeneuve-d'Ascq, after the big slap received last year

Elodie Naigre fait partie des cadres cette saison. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Les Gazelles reçoivent Villeneuve-d’Ascq, champion de France en titre, ce samedi (20 h), pour le dernier match de la phase aller de Ligue féminine. Un adversaire qu’il leur a très peu réussi ces dernières années.

A memory to forget. Lattes-Montpellier concludes its first leg, this Saturday, December 21 (8 p.m.), against Villeneuve d'Ascq, reigning champion and the BLMA's bête noire in recent seasons. Indeed, the Northerners have won six times in a row against the Héraultaises. Last season, the Gazelles lost twice very heavily in the semi-finals (64-95; 67-103). Two last defeats that left a bitter taste for Elodie Naigre and her teammates. “We haven't forgotten, especially with the way it happened. It hit our ego.”, recalls the power forward.

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Best defense in the championship

But things have changed since then. The BLMA is running at full speed and is on a run of four straight wins in all competitions, with an impression of ease. “We had problems at the beginning in attack, but we work a lot together, so it's starting to pay off. On the other hand, in defense, it worked almost immediately.” , Elodie Naigre is satisfied. As a result, Lattes-Montpellier is now the best defense in the championship, with Basket Landes (645 points conceded). “This is the game we want to put in place. Everyone is responding with their qualities. If we remain the best defense in the championship, at some point, it will pay off!”

Like the team, Elodie Naigre is riding a great momentum, with 10.7 points per game. A success that can be explained by the confidence given by the BLMA coach, Valéry Demory: “When you show him that you are capable of doing something, he gives it back to you” , believes the player.

Peters returns to Lattes

For their part, the Northerners also no longer have the same face. A very agitated transfer window and a string of injuries later, Villeneuve-d'Ascq travels to the Palais des sports in the shoes of the 10th in the Women's League. “Be careful, it's still a good team, which is performing better at the moment. Everyone can beat everyone.”, tempers the Guadeloupean.

The club from the suburbs of Lille has opened a new era, embodied by the very promising Leite, but also by Haley Peters. A BLMA player for two seasons, the American power forward will return to her former club for the first time since her departure in 2023. It will also be the last meeting on the bench of their coach Rachid Meziane, previously with Lattes-Montpellier, before his departure at the break for the American WNBA championship.

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