Pays de Fougères, at the buzzer, and Monaco, without shaking, win the Coupe de France Trophy
Early Friday evening, Monaco Basket Association (NF1) flew over the women’s final of the Coupe de France Trophy at the Accor Arena by abruptly beating Le Poinçonnet (69-50). Then Pays de Fougères (NM2) snatched the men’s title on the TOAC, thanks to a 3-point buzzer from Maxime Choplin (86-83).
The weekend of the French Cup finals got off to a flying start. At the opening, Monaco Basket Association – first team of its NF1 pool with a record of 18 wins and 4 losses – won the second Coupe de France Trophy in its history after 2017, becoming the second team to win the title twice. (after the UFAB of Angers in 2010 and 2012). The Poinçonnet – 6th in NF1 – did not make the weight, won in the first quarter (18-9), to finish narrowly under the 20 units gap (69-50). The Parisian Wisline Souffrant (1.76 m, 26 years old) was elected MVP of the final.
Stats Monaco – Le Poinçonnet / Watch the final
The men’s final is known for a completely different scenario. At the end of a totally crazy meeting, Pays de Fougères – NM2 – won in overtime against TOAC – NM3 already guaranteed to go up to NM2 next season – and at the last second on a three-point shot from the former Le Mans hopeful Maxime Choplin (83-86), who became MVP in the final (23 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists). Toulouse missed many chances to pinch the game. At +14 in the third and even +8 with 3 minutes to go, Ludovic Vaty’s team (24 points, 10 rebounds) let the Bretons snatch an extension with the forceps… missing countless free throws. Six years after the final lost by Rennes against Kaysersberg in 2016, the Coupe de France Trophy returns to Brittany. Pebezh genaoueg!
Stats Pays de Fougères – TOAC / Watch the final
Photos: Bellenger/FFBB