Team Profile: Tango Bourges Basket
BOURGES (EuroLeague Women 2017) - We're turning out attention to one of the most famous and long-standing clubs in the competition as Tango Bourges Basket take their customary EuroLeague Women spot.
Last season: It was an historic campaign as Tango Bourges started life in EuroLeague Women, but then after falling below their usual high standards, they slipped down into EuroCup Women. However, they made amends by making a run all the way to the Final and were memorably crowned EuroCup Women winners for the very first time and to make it sweeter, they lifted the silverware on their own floor.
Roster: While some high profile players have left, there's still some reasonable continuity with several French players remaining on board including the guard trio of Paoline Salagnac, Ingrid Tanqueray and Sara Chevaugeon. There are also returns for winger Diandra Tchatchouang who missed last season with a long-term injury and forward Ana-Maria Filip.
The only non-French player to return is Great Britain colossus Johannah Leedham, who will play her fifth season at the club. The new faces to arrive include the tremendously exciting guard skills of Marine Johannes who grabbed an unexpected Olympic berth, while big things are also expected of the even younger Alexia Chartereau who was MVP of the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship 2016. Experienced playmaker Miljana Bojovic has the unenviable task of filling the void left by Celine Dumerc, while Canadian Kayla Alexander and Brazilian Clarissa Dos Santos will fill the gaps left in the paint by Danielle Page and Helena Ciak.
Key player: Look no further than Leedham who despite not being French, has taken over the long-standing captaincy of Dumerc in the wake of her departure that speaks volumes for the trust which head coach Valerie Garnier has in a player who has got better with every season and established herself as a firm favourite at Le Prado. Aside from her scoring, rebounding and passing ability, she can now tick the leadership box in a big way and she will be integral to what could be a roller-coaster season ahead.
'X-Factor': Can Marine Johannes make an impression during her first EuroLeague Women season? Well, if her exploits in Rio are anything to go by, she could possibly be a difference-maker in her rookie campaign. She plays fearlessly and is always on the verge of producing brilliance. While sometimes only in flashes, she looks like she will thrive and if she does, then it could help transform Bourges during what will be something of a transition.
Stat attack: Bourges have started every single EuroLeague Women season in the last two decades.
Social media stars: Look no further than Diandra Tchatchouang [diant237] and Jo Leedham [Joey_Leedham] on Instagram.
Outlook: Keeping half of their team but also losing some key personnel leaves Tango Bourges looking slightly exposed and less solid than in previous years. Yet that potential vulnerability could also end up going in another direction and they may end up thriving due to the injection of fresh young French talent, which looks capable of helping to continue the club’s storied tradition. Group B shouldn’t hold too many fears and if the fans stick with them through some inevitable bumps in the road, they might just have enough to post a strong campaign. Certainly it is the most eclectic mix of players Bourges have had in some time – if not ever! So, it will be fascinating to see how it all unfolds.
FIBA
