JSF Nanterre wins EuroChallenge 2015

Hayri Gur Arena, Trabzon – JSF Nanterre (France-Pro A) has captured the 2015 EuroChallenge Championship after edging out Trabzonspor Basketbol (Turkey-TBL) 63-64 in a thriller of a Finals game. This is the first European title for Nanterre and they can now proudly display the gold cup in their trophy case. In domestic the French domestic league their highest achievement is a single Pro A championship in 2013. This is a big step for the franchise and a well-deserved victory for the boys in green and white.

Nanterre’s T.J. Campbell played the hero for his team in this encounter, making a layup at the buzzer for the win. The French club took control of the action during the first half. The visitors were able to establish a nine-point advantage by halftime with the score standing at 28-37. The home crowd rallied behind their team and Trabzonspor responded positively. In the third period, Trabzonspor stepped up their offense and managed to cull the lead to just six points with one final quarter left in the game.

In the fourth quarter, Trabzonspor went on an 8-0 run to seize the lead. Kaloyan Ivanov and helped rally his team and with just over three minutes left in regulation, suddenly the home team held the advantage. With 11 seconds left in the game an in-bound pass found Nanterre’s Johan Passave-Ducteil. And he recounts his thoughts in those dying seconds:

“I grabbed the rebound and I had no time to look at the clock,” Passave-Ductei explained afterwards.

“I just saw TJ [Campbell] cutting to the basket.

“I didn’t think, I just gave it to him.

“I am so happy I didn’t pass him the ball too late, because it really feels so nice to win this trophy.”

Of course, coach Pascal Donnadieu of JSF Nanterre was beaming with pride at his team’s success. He had this to say at the end of the game:

“This is an incredible scenario. For the team to win in Trabzon, in front of their fans, without injured Mykal Riley, is a huge success. This is the biggest success of our club, and we are really proud, I can’t find any words to describe it. This memory will stay forever in our club’s history. We stayed strong mentally in the game; we had difficulties, but we stayed calm and focused, and found our options.”