Limoges CSP wins easily against Gravelines and provides sporting maintenance

With a thunderous start to the game, a newly won defense, unfailing solidarity and fighting spirit, CSP managed to make the game easy against Gravelines, eventually winning 88-63. Mathematically, the sporting continuation is assured, two days before the end of the championship. The opportunity for a great press conference. But now we have to wait until May 15…

Normally, at Limoges CSP, the end of April has a special smell: that of the final stages, that of double or nothing, that of great epics…

But as in Beaublanc, there is rarely anything normal, this was not really the case on this Tuesday evening. Oh, it was crowded, but not crowded. Oh, there was atmosphere, but not big nights. Oh, it was joy, but not quite overwhelming…

It must be said that CSP did not validate its ticket to glorious horizons, did not crash a match at the end of money-time, did not beat its best enemy. No, none of that.

Just delivered a serious game against a Nordic side who, if not lacking in assets, had little or nothing to offer on this night.

Just validated a maintenance, far from the expected criteria, as safe sportingly as fragile administratively.

Hence this mixed feeling, made of pleasure, a little, relief, a lot, and regret, a lot!

19-13, 23-13, 15-13 and 31-24. It is dry, clean and precise, and explains this easy victory, against a Gravelines undoubtedly dulled by the last game and the long journey. But as the other said, “It’s a little short, young man! You might say… Oh! God! …many things in short“.

Because as mentioned, the defense was tough, and for once left the Limougeaude racket almost calm, and the outside almost invulnerable.
There were only 9 lost balls, for 21 assists.
There was, both in front and behind, solidarity, fighting spirit, almost faultless.
There was joy, even pleasure in playing together, as evidenced by this 108 collective evaluation.
It was a great Nicolas Lang (26 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-6 from three).
Precious Udanoh, Nikolic, Nenadic, Chassang, not to mention all the others, with less flashy performance but equally brilliant contributions.
For once there was even the return of the three children, Gessat, Mouhri and Nkombou, whom Beaublanc did not fail to greet.

In short, a group, which perhaps not often enough this season, but which deserved to be praised in a press conference, and by its coach, and by its captain.

We were serious from start to finish. With strictness, discipline and then defensively we did the job, so that’s nice. It’s a beautiful evening.

Jean-Marc Dupraz

Coach for Limoges CSP

It’s a great night for everyone. Between Saturday and tonight is a good period for us. Everyone can be proud.

Nicholas Long

Captain in Limoges CSP

Although it was put back together just a few weeks ago, the calendar has been turned upside down again.

This Tuesday evening, Limoges has 32 games, while others only have 29 on the clock. But one thing is certain: CSP can no longer finish in one of the last three places, synonymous with relegation to pro B. More sporty in any case.
It’s far from standard, but considering the season, it’s not too bad.

“Last year we scared each other to the end, but this year… So this year! I’m not used to looking at the bottom of the rankings, to see who I’m going to play for maintenance… Already, not playing in the playoffs an impact, but sustaining, or even going down, is something else.I didn’t come to Beaublanc today telling myself it was done. You lose tonight, you start watching, thinking, you never know what can happen. At least it has been done there. Good bye ! It’s a lot of relief.” Nicolas Lang, cacaptain of Limoges CSP

Of course, maintenance is an important thing, for the club, for its employees, for the public, it is also a satisfaction.

Jean-Marc Dupraz

Coach for Limoges CSP

The two victories that were withdrawn by sanction weigh heavily on the evening of April 23. Two more successes and it’s not the maintenance CSP was hoping for, but also qualification for the playoffs. And inevitably it gets stuck in our heads, even muted…

“The season, the sanctions, it will inevitably leave you with regrets, but it is what it is. The players knew how to move forward, they did, and quite well. Mathematically, we could maybe go to the playoffs, but… We’re not going to make history again.” Jean-Marc Dupraz

“Yes, definitely, it’s a taste of unfinished business. This season we have always navigated by sight, but… But that’s how it is. During the last two games, we have made good progress, especially in defence. So that leaves regret. But it should have been done before, against a Top 5… But on 11 May it’s over, that’s it!” Nicholas Long

All the more sorry for this evening where, we repeat, it was the group, sporty, that was exemplary. Not just the players, but beyond. And this was welcomed.

“It is a healthy group, who live well, with good boys, who are solid, who are united. This can be seen on the pitch, but also every day in training. They like to be together, scrap together, it’s a group that has many qualities. Even the youngsters, who play the game, who train well, and therefore, when there is a window, can be on the field, it is good for them, for the club.” Jean-Marc Dupraz

“To tell you how far this goes, there’s one guy I really liked this season, he’s even one of the biggest pros I’ve ever seen in my life: that’s German physio Kilian Flierl. The guy, he barely comes to the club and he’s done everything. ! Masseur, team leader, physiotherapist, he has done it all. The guy isn’t even home. And there’s a mess going on, the people who recruited him, they’re not even here anymore, but the guy comes to work every day! He played his role to perfection. If he’s not here, I’m not sure we’ll survive!” Nicholas Long

CSP still has two games left to finish the season. Next May 4, at Le Mans, and May 11, against Bourg, for the final at Beaublanc.

Two bizarre matches, almost without effort, but which, we are sure, no one will let go of.

Both games? I still want to win one last time away and this is the last opportunity… After that, the last one in Beaublanc, we still had some great games here, good atmospheres, so yeah, it should end well.

Nicholas Long

Captain in Limoges CSP

That’s the whole problem. And then a period of uncertainty, not to say anxiety, will begin for CSP.

As of May 15, a date, if not fateful, at least decisive for the very future of the club. But that probably won’t be definitive. Looked for…