The final of the French women’s basketball championship will pit Villeneuve-d’Ascq, winner of Lattes-Montpellier, against Asvel, who eliminated defending champion Bourges on Saturday by coming back in the semi-final second leg (93-73) the handicap conceded in the first leg (80-67).
The Lyonnaises will aim from Wednesday in a best-of-three series for their second title of champion of France (after 2019), and a second trophy this year, they who have already won the Eurocup, the second European competition.
The Northerners are also looking for a second national crown after the one capped in 2017.
They completely dominated Lattes Montpellier, taking a serious option in the first leg in Hérault (75-60) before finishing the job quietly on Saturday in front of their home crowd (73-70).
If the MVP of the season Kennedy Burke had shone in the first leg (21 pts and 6 rebounds), another interior stood out on Saturday for the ESBVA, the Ivorian pivot Kariata Diaby (20 pts at 100% shooting, 8 rebounds).
The shock between Bourges and Asvel, revenge for the last final largely won by the Berruyères (3-0), on the other hand kept all its promises.
The Lyonnaises won their bet and showed the character expected by their coach David Gautier after the Coupe de France final lost against Basket Landes on April 22 (71-64).
They made the difference in the second quarter, winning 30 to 18, and were able to count, unlike the first leg semi-final, on a crucial three-point address (13/31).
In the individuality department, Blake Dietrick (23 pts) and Julie Allemand (6 ists) pulled out of the game.
In the lead by 18 points with 1 min 30 sec remaining (90-72), the Lyonnaises managed the last Tango rush well, especially behind the free throw line.
Thus ends the career of Berruyère captain Elodie Godin, in tears at the end of the match (37 years and nine seasons in Bourges).
