Le Mans Sarthe Basket Coupe de France round of 16 draw, Digi Mart USA News: Le Mans Sarthe Basket will have to wait until the end of November to learn its opponent in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France. The French basketball federation’s draw on Thursday, November 5, set the conditions for the club’s entry into the competition but did not reveal the exact identity of its opponent.
The Manceau club enters the competition directly at the round of 16 stage, a privilege granted to all teams competing in European tournaments. The Sarthe side has won the trophy four times, in 1964, 2004, 2009 and 2016, and reached the final in the last two editions, losing to Paris and then Monaco.
To find out its opponent, MSB must wait until November 29. That is the date of the postponed third-round match between Challans, second in its Nationale 1 group, and Nancy, eleventh in the professional top division.
Nancy is the favorite but will start with a 14-point handicap to offset the two-division gap, and Challans is coming off a strong win over Boulazac, a first-division club.
The Manceau round of 16 tie is already scheduled for Wednesday, December 2, with kickoff at 8 p.m. The result of Challans versus Nancy will determine both the opponent and the venue.
If Nancy qualifies, the Sarthe team will host at the Antarès hall. If Challans upsets the favorite, MSB will have to travel to Vendée.
