Laure Ecard was a junior basketball player licensed at Cavigal. Her future seemed clear, but fate decided otherwise. To pay tribute to her, her parents and a few volunteers are organizing the Laure Ecard trophy for the second consecutive year. At the Leyrit hall, Croatia, Turkey, Russia, and France compete for the trophy. Russia narrowly wins against France at the end of this Sunday, July 10, 2011.
“The Russians win!” exclaims the announcer at Leyrit hall. It’s an explosion of joy! The Russians run in all directions, jumping while clapping their hands, and smiles are everywhere. They scraped through: the final score was 45-43. A tight score that underscores the suspense of this match.
A disaster! That’s the word that best describes the beginning of the match from the French side. Not a single basket scored in the first 5 minutes. Their exemplary defense against Croatia crumbled overnight. The Russians took advantage of it and dominated France in every aspect of the game. Clémentine Morateur, French number 4, stopped the bleeding by scoring the first basket on a free throw. The team finally got going and regained some of their points deficit. The long, piercing beep announced the end of the first quarter: 15-10 for the Russians.
During the quarters, there’s music. Nissa la bella put on a show and enchanted the crowd that came in numbers to support the French team. The announcer tried to set the mood: “Is there anyone here for France?” The 200 people present hurriedly shouted “yessss!!!” He threw balls, t-shirts, caps, and other items to the loudest until the piercing beep stole the spotlight back.
The French women continued on their momentum from the start of the second quarter. More desire, more defense, more success in shooting, coach Julien Egloff’s speech visibly motivated the troops! France came within 2 points of Russia 19-17 and even managed to lead at halftime 26-23. Defense is the best offense of the French team: the piercing beep, announcing the end of the 24-second regulation shot clock, often sounded. Russia was harassed and now dominated. A situation that did not please Abdullin Rustam, the Russian coach. Too present, he was warned.
Returning from the locker room, France maintained their good defensive conduct. Fatigue not helping, the French women committed more and more technical fouls. Russia took advantage. Their strength? Free throws. With an average of 7/10, most of their points came from there. Their nearly flawless accuracy allowed them to catch up. But the refereeing errors displeased Abdullin. His untimely intrusion on the pitch angered Chantal Julien, one of the match referees. She expelled him from the playing area and sent him back to the locker room. Two minutes remained, and the players were tied at 43 each. Amidst the booing of the crowd towards the Russians, the applause at every French basket, the coaches’ shouts offering advice, and the bouncing of the ball, it was impossible to hear anything.
It was therefore a game played with experience. And in this regard, the reigning European champion Russia was the best. The French women got tense and literally broke down. A less accurate defense, many fouls, and the Russians benefited from numerous free throws. The 3 timeouts called within 45 seconds would change nothing. France lost 45-43 to Russia.
Laure Ecard can be proud of her teammates: they fought to the end!
Other tournament results:
| Russia – Croatia | 78 – 72, |
| France – Turkey | 59 – 45, |
| Turkey – Russia | 40 – 74, |
| France – Croatia | 67 – 37, |
| Croatia – Turkey | 69 – 47.|
Photo gallery Boris Godet.
