You had to be patient on Friday evening to access the Marcel-Cerdan sports center in Levallois. The long line of spectators stretched far beyond the forecourt of the Boulogne-Levallois club's lair. It had been a long time since this room had displayed such crowds or roared so much. But the wait was worth it for the spectators. At the end of an intense and undecided duel until the last minute, they witnessed the victory of the Mets (nicknames of the Boulogne-Levallois team) against Limoges (80-74). The 7th in a row in 8 days of the championship which allows Vincent Collet's players to consolidate their leadership position.
If the beautiful poster of the evening and the presence of many Limoges supporters in the stands partly explain this record attendance (around 2,800 spectators identified including a certain Robert Pirès who came incognito), that does not explain everything.
If the Palais des sports was full, it is also because of the good results of the team and its very attractive game.
Unbeaten for 6 days, the Metropolitans have the best attack in the division.
During the game, young players from the Mantes-la-Ville club managed to compete with the noisy Limoges supporters.
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Mustache, popcorn and Vincent Collette
Mike, who waits in front of a barber's stand installed in the corridors of the Palais des Sports on the occasion of “Movember” and allows spectators to sport a beautiful mustache, relishes the show. “I find that the game offered by Boulogne-Levallois is very spectacular, it's a great team. Pierre, who came from Paris with his family, attends his first match at Levallois "to please" his son "a basketball fan". He has “no regrets”.
Same feeling for Victor, 25, his arms loaded with portions of popcorn. “I just arrived in Paris, I used to go to matches in Fos-sur-Mer when I lived in the South, so I wanted to try, he explains. I had inquired before coming and knew it was first but I am pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere. In addition there is a spectacle. I will definitely be back. "
Vincent… Collette, he did not hesitate to come from Maurecourt (Yvelines) to see his almost namesake Vincent Collet on the bench of the Metropolitans.
"Colleagues had seats for the match, I was not going to miss the possibility," smiles the 44-year-old specialist trainer.
It's weird to see Collet on the bench of a club other than Strasbourg (
where he coached for 9 seasons
).
He's a great coach.
It's good for the club to be able to have such a coach.
"
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But all these spectators - new or loyal to the Mets - will have trembled until the end like the young Anthony, 8 years old, a student in the school which adjoins the sports center and who sees "the players every day".
After a controlled start to the match (14-4, 5th), Lahaou Konaté's partners set foot in the defense of Limoges.
The gap narrows over the minutes.
Sent off for two technical faults at the end of the 3rd quarter (58-53, 28th), Vince Hunter will watch the end of the match from the locker room.
The last act is uncertain and exciting (62-58, 30th).
But a 3-point shot at the buzzer from Keith Hornsby gives air to the Mets (76-67, 38th).
This same Hornsby makes a capital interception in the last minute and frees his family.
Standing, the public can breathe and celebrate this new victory.
Many will want to relish this kind of atmosphere.
