The Toulousaines, thanks to their victory in the final against La Tronche Meylan (61-57), are crowned French champions of LF2.

Double blow for the TMB. His dream of finding the elite of the French basket has come true. In a very close encounter, the Toulousaines won their second leg of the LF2 final in Grenoble (61-57), thus becoming French Ligue 2 champions. No surprise given the club’s statistics this season: 24 wins for 4 defeats, championship leader, best attack, best defense and best team in the evaluation.

A mental victory

The tension was at its height. Even if the pioneers won the first leg, they were taken by the stakes. Faced with a very good team from Isère, the Toulousaines fought for a long time. “It’s true that our level of play was not very high, but we were able to remain stable and our defense did the rest”admits TMB coach Xavier Noguera.

Specially fitted out for the event, the Grenoble ice rink welcomed more than 3,000 spectators. As in the first match, La Tronche Meylan takes the lead and imposes its game in the first quarter (12-17). Toulouse is trying to catch up, thanks in particular to Kalis Loyd (20 points, 8 rebounds) and comes back to within two points of his opponent. At the break, the Toulousaines lead by a small point (32-21).

La Tronche, who could count on Anna Ngo Njock (19 points, 4 rebounds), chained the points and dominated the quarter (39-43). The public gives voice and starts to believe in the support match. Except that Joelly Belleka is part of his talent (11 points) and allows the TMB to take off (54-49 with 5 minutes remaining). His lead increases, until it becomes +8, the biggest gap of the game. The BCTM is struggling to come back to the score. The club of the pink city can exult (61-57).

Inevitably, for La Tronche, it’s time for disappointment. “It’s really conflicting emotions” said Camille Cirgue, BCTM player, to the Dauphine. “We are so happy to have played in front of so many people. But we are competitors. We can really grab this beauty… We gave everything, Toulouse deserves it. ”

This title and this rise materialize the immense work of a club which has structured itself from year to year with partners, an audience, a coach, his staff and players carried by the love of a jersey and a sole ambition, to make a #Toulouse its place at the highest level.🏆 pic.twitter.com/I9JRaPDgAi

— TMB Basket ©️ (@TMB_Basket) May 22, 2022

A common satisfaction

The reactions fuse and the emotions are strong. Xavier Noguera, the Toulouse coach, is proud of his players. “On the season, this title, on merit” he points out. On a product of the game, on a summer present from the beginning to the end. ” ” At last ! “, exclaimed the captain of the TMB, Isabelle Strunc, in a moved voice at the microphone of France Blue. “I had come to Toulouse to win a title. This is happiness. It’s been an incredible season for us. Considering the face of the season, I think it’s deserved. We will savor this title and we will think about the LFB a little later. ”

The elected officials also testified to their happiness on social networks. “Congratulations to our champions! ” commented Laurence Arribagé, deputy mayor of Toulouse in charge of sports. “What a perfectly mastered season! This rise in LFB expected by all basketball fans rewards the work carried out by the leaders, the staff and the players. ” Kamel Chibli, vice-president of the Occitanie Region also reacted: “A difficult match but the result is victory. How proud, well done. ” The pioneers have already played in the Women’s Basketball League, from 2009 to 2011 and then from 2013 to 2016.

Severine Bouquet