Caen BC faced yet another challenging defeat as they succumbed 64-98 against Pau Lacq Orthez on January 24, 2025. The game represented the third consecutive loss for the team on home ground at the Palais des Sports. Following the match, coach Stéphane Eberlin articulated his thoughts on the defeat and the pressing need for his players to remain unified.
"The second half felt lengthy,” Eberlin noted, reflecting on the struggles his team experienced during the match. "We had personnel issues, and on the other side, we encountered exceptionally strong opponents. Pau played impressively. We simply lacked success tonight, and some evenings, nothing seems to go right. It’s just the way it is. We took quite the hit, but it happens. Now, we must find ways to bounce back.”
Following the disappointing home loss, Eberlin emphasized the emotional toll of losing three consecutive matches at home. He acknowledged the quality of the opposing team, noting, "It’s disheartening to have three defeats at home, especially against teams like Pau. Their top scorer returned, and their playmaker is also quite formidable. We must not forget they are composed of players with Betclic Elite experience, which adds to their strength.”
The coach also discussed the pivotal moment of the match when his team struggled, stating, "We started the third quarter without success, and they punished us. The gap widened to -18, which significantly impacted our mentality. We’ve shown we can break mentally under pressure, as seen previously against Blois. This isn’t pleasant, but we shouldn’t forget about the progress we’ve made so far. January is known to be difficult for us.”
Eberlin reiterated the importance of unity and focus during this challenging period, urging his players to stay committed to their objectives. "We need to stay together and think about what’s next. While these moments are trying, we must not disregard what we’ve accomplished. Even with the setbacks, we hold a record of 12 wins and 9 losses, maintaining ourselves between the 5th and 10th positions. The most important part lies ahead of us. We need to regroup and work hard to prepare for our next game against league leaders, Boulazac.”
Assessing the overall season, the coach reflected on their rise from National 1 to the current competition level. "We understand the path has had challenges, but we must not overlook all we have done since the season began. We are far from perfect, but our past performances play a significant role. We faced considerable challenges coming from N1, and the players must recognize the competitive atmosphere we’re currently encountering coming from Betclic Elite. This will only make us stronger going forward.”
Looking forward, Eberlin remains optimistic about the team’s potential. “It’s key to approach every game with determination. We’ve seen what our roster can achieve when cohesive. The blues won’t last forever. It’s about capitalizing on our experience and learning from the hard matches. Maintaining our mental strength is as important as our technical skills.”
The Caen BC team, now reflecting on the entire season, aims to leverage their prior successes as they chart their course for the remainder of the league. The upcoming match against Boulazac will undoubtedly test their resolve, but with Eberlin at the helm, there’s hope for resurgence. The team is committed to confronting their challenges head-on, steering back to victory with renewed vigor.