Tarbes held on to win the LFB Challenge Round in spite of losing the second leg

The LFB Challenge Round is all over, with Tarbes clinching the final series (147-138) against Clermont-Ferrand. With the victory Tarbes have clinched the last ticket available for French clubs to play in Europe next season.

Clermont-Ferrand went all out in attack at the start of the match but were hit early by the shooting of Kristen Mann and Liz Moeggenberg from Tarbes. The two teams were level (9-9) after five minutes of play.

Clermont switched to zone causing Tarbes all kinds of problems. After some excellent work from Guiday Mendy and Pauline Krawczyk Clermont-Ferrand regained the lead by the end of the first period (18-15).

Tarbes, still unable to deal with their opponent's aggressive defence, were soon trailing (30-16) early in the second period. The 16-1 thumping over two periods resulted in Tarbes changing their own defensive and offensive options. Yet they were unable to reduce the deficit as Claire Tomasczweski was having an impressive spell and Clermont went into the interval leading the match (42-28) and the overall two game series by a single point.

Tarbes, still unable to deal with their opponent's aggressive defence, were soon trailing (30-16) early in the second period. The 16-1 thumping over two periods resulted in Tarbes changing their own defensive and offensive options. Yet they were unable to reduce the deficit as Claire Tomasczweski was having an impressive spell and Clermont went into the interval leading the match (42-28) and the overall two game series by a single point.

After the break Tarbes came storming back as Fatima Silva, Clémence Beikes and Gisela Vega went to work offensively. By the end of the third quarter they had reduced the deficit and only trailed by 3 points (50-53).

Clermont, tired by all the earlier efforts, were unable to build up enough momentum to regain the overall aggregate lead. Moeggenberg's (Left, Challenge Round Final MVP) habit of finding herself in the right position at important moments was a key factor in the closing stages as Tarbes worked on to defend their aggregate lead.

Clermont won the match (71-67) but fell short by 9 points.

Clermont's eighth place finish should see them in Europe as they have inherited the award from Saint Amand, a club that no longer exists.

Tarbes will be in Europe next season but without many of their players from the current roster.

LFB Challenge Round Box Score Box Score

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Look back at the final second leg

Pictures courtesy of Ligue Féminine de BasketBall Date: 10 May 2008