The Leyrit Hall hosts the Final Four of Ligue Féminine 2 starting at 5 PM, and the Cavigal Basket does not hide its ambitions. The Niçoises are 80 minutes away from another promotion to Ligue Féminine. On their part, the management and staff dream of Europe in the medium term. Quite the challenge.
“Nice, the fifth largest city in France, deserves to have a team competing in the European Cup,” explained Laurence Laporte, president of Cavigal Basket. The team, known for its yo-yoing between the elite and League 2 (2 promotions and 2 relegations in the last four years), could this weekend write a new chapter in its history: winning a new LF2 title. But beyond that, returning to the elite of French basketball, which they left just a year ago. “We weren’t ready to play in Ligue Féminine the two seasons we were promoted. With the great season we’re having and the excitement around the team, we can now stabilize the club and aim to stay in the elite,” says the president of Cavigal Basket.
A different season
But this season is different from the others. For the first time in its history, Rachid Méziane’s girls finished at the top of the regular season and will have the honor of hosting the Final Four in eight days. “It’s a real advantage to have your own crowd cheering during critical moments. We have our habits, our bearings, unlike the opponents,” admits Marie-Eve Paget, point guard and captain of Cavi’. In previous seasons, the club leading the regular season was automatically promoted, but this season, the rules have changed. To be in Ligue Féminine next September, they will have to win the Final Four. “Each thing in its own time. Hosting the final tournament was the objective, now we have another (victory, Ed.) and it’s a major one,” admits Rachid Méziane, coach of the Niss’Angels.
A promotion, yes, but for what outcome?
Relying on the squad that achieved promotion is an option rarely favored by the management because a completely different league would await the Niçoises if they win the Final Four. With only five small victories in 26 matches during the two seasons in the elite, the girls from Cavi’ have hardly existed. “We need financial means and experienced players. One does not go without the other. The long-term goal is to exist in Ligue Féminine. In the next two to three seasons, Nice can aim for participation in a European cup like the Eurocup (second-tier European competition) as a first step,” says the Nice coach. Before hoping to face the cream of the Russian, Spanish, and Italian championships, meet at 5 PM in Leyrit for the semi-final against Limoges and beyond if victorious.
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