Benfica’s basketball squad secured a hard-fought 93-90 victory over French powerhouse Le Mans, keeping their Basketball Champions League play-in hopes alive.
The Lisbon-based team, considered an underdog against Le Mans, defeated a club currently leading the French championship alongside Monaco. Coach Norberto Alves lauded his team’s unified effort and sustained concentration.
“We were a team,” Alves told reporters after the fourth-round Group H clash. “We fought hard for the victory.” He emphasized that consistent focus was key in overcoming a top opponent.
Alves highlighted the team’s best game in terms of concentration, avoiding the “ups and downs” that had plagued them in earlier matches. He noted their ability to regain control even when Le Mans threatened a comeback.
“When they managed to get back into the game, the team did not fall apart,” Alves said. He praised the squad’s composure in the final moments, especially in executing crucial free throws.
Fan support played a significant role, according to Alves. He credited the home crowd for providing “extra energy” needed for difficult plays, such as rebounding against Le Mans’ 7-foot-2 (2.18-meter) player, Jonathan Jeanne.
“It was a very deserved victory from a team that gave everything,” Alves stated, acknowledging the unwavering effort.
The win positions Benfica in third place in Group H. This spot grants access to the play-in round for the knockout stages.
Despite the crucial win, Benfica faces a challenging path. Their remaining two group matches are tough away fixtures against Spartak Subotica of Serbia and Gran Canaria of Spain.
Alves acknowledged the initial draw placed them in a formidable group. He referenced Spartak’s recent victory over Partizan as an example of the competition’s strength.
“We have to transform things that seem impossible into reality,” Alves concluded. He affirmed his team’s commitment to fight “until the last second” for mathematical possibility to advance.