The Monaco Basket Association ready to take up the biggest challenge in its history?
The first female professional club in the history of the Principality since its promotion to the second division at the end of last season, the MBA has experienced a meteoric rise since its creation twelve years ago. And this 2022-2023 season is already shaping up to be historic for Eric Elena’s club.
It is in the welcoming Rouge et le Blanc wine bar, on the port of Fontvieille, that the MBA has now launched its 2022-2023 season with the presentation of its workforce.
A few days before the start of the season and this first Coupe de France match (even October 8 at 8 p.m.) against Charnay Basket Bourgogne Sud, an opponent who descends from LFB and whom the Monegasques will also find on October 15 for the first day championship, Eric Elena presented his staff and players to the partners present for this first press conference of the year.
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The opportunity to retrace the journey of a club that continues to climb the steps (French NF2 champion in 2017, twice winner of the Coupe de France Trophy in 2017 and 2022), to the point of being today the third professional club of the Principality, with AS Monaco and the Roca Team.
“The LF2 is a world away from last year’s NF1appointed the President of the MBA. We are moving forward with humility, we will learn and for this first year at this level, we will play the maintenance. I really hope that we have a lot of fun, that our supporters are happy to come and see us play at the Annonciade. I hope we will become a separate LF2 team whole in the future.”
A group revamped to 70% this season
To succeed in this bet, Éric Elena has decided to entrust the dreams of the first team to Régis Racine (51), who will be assisted by Mohamed Lamine Keïta. A former high-level player, Régis Racine worked as a coach or assistant-coach in Clermont-Ferrand, Nanterre, Bordeaux, Châteauroux and then at Limoges ABC.
Last season, he took charge of GCO Bihorel (NF2) then Saint-Savine (NF1). “We wanted to associate experienced players with young players, so that they could supervise them and take this group to the top, explains the new MBA coach. The objective is to progress as much as possible within this championship. »
READ ALSO: The MBA promoted to the second division after a historic season
In addition to a new staff, the MBA also remodeled its workforce by 70% compared to last season. Only Lucie Laroche, Ashunae Durant and Julia Chandler remained at the club during the offseason.
And given the rules imposed by the FFBB specifications for the LF2 (4 players under the age of 23 compulsory), many young players will make up the team this season, like Fatou-Mata Touré (2004 ), Hermance Marti (2003), Kimsy Demontoux (2022) and Ève Wembanyama (2001), older sister of a certain Victor Wembanyama.
“We are the small thumb of the division, we are aware of itrecognizes Eric Elena. But when I see the friendlies, I’m confident. We will do everything not to disappoint the Prince’s Government, which supports us, but also our partners and loyal supporters, and do our utmost to convey a beautiful image of the Principality and of Monegasque women’s sport. » The challenge has only just begun.