Paris (AFP)
Dijon's European course stopped on Friday against Burgos (81-67), in Athens in the semi-final of the Basketball Champions League (BCL), the 3rd continental level behind the Euroleague and the Eurocup.
The Spaniards will face AEK Athens in the final (7 p.m.) on Sunday, victorious over Zaragoza 99-75.
Lacking rhythm and impact, the JDA missed its start to the match in Greece, where the Final 8. As in the quarterfinals against the Turks of Ankara (83-82), Dijon had difficulty defending against to Spaniards very successful in shooting with 9 baskets at 3 points during the first period.
Result: the JDA returned to the locker room 13 points behind (43-30).
On resumption, Laurent Legname's men woke up a bit to return to 6 points (49-35), but never managed to catch up.
Facing the Dijon leader David Holston, uninspired with only 6 points, Ken Horton (19 pts, 10 rebounds) and Vitor Benite (25 pts) shone and carried Burgos to the final.
"We were not perfect in defense. They took advantage of it, they were very good at shooting. There were too many mistakes to stand up to a team like that", summed up JDA captain Axel Julien at the microphone of Canal Plus.
Dijon, the French club which has been rising in recent years, will console itself with the small final Sunday afternoon against Zaragoza (4 p.m.).
Before focusing on the championship where the club made an excellent start, overcoming Asvel on the first day (81-74).
© 2020 AFP