No man happier in Nanterre than coach Donnadieu

NANTERRE (FIBA Europe Cup) - If your eye slipped away from the nail-biting action on the floor, you might have noticed Nanterre 92 head coach Pascal Donnadieu nervously pacing the sidelines, as his team's lead in the second leg of the FIBA Europe Cup Final grew smaller and smaller after the half-time break.

But it seems that the 52-year-old Nanterre basketball mastermind, who guided the club from the low-level local leagues to the French basketball elite during his three decades at the helm, had once again worked his magic, like few others can.

"The bond we felt between each other and with the fans, it reminded me a bit of 2013 when we were crowned French champions. It’s extraordinary. Moments like these need to be cherished because they don’t come too often."Pascal DonnadieuPascal Donnadieu

As a crowning achievement of a long champagne-soaked week, coach Donnadieu and his players held off a late challenge by Elan Chalon at the Palais des Sports Maurice Thorez to lift the FIBA Europe Cup trophy just four days after winning the French Cup, overcoming a seemingly impossible-to-survive marathon of make-or-break games.

"We have very well adapted to the challenge this week. We did not have an issue to remain focused. We precisely used the time we had to recover and prepare for the team. We have tried to stay calm and transfer this onto the players to put them at ease," said the figurehead of the club.

It’s not me making the shots or stops, but my team and I did our best to give the players all necessary keys. For me, this is a win of the entire staff and team, and their combined skills."

According to Donnadieu, who has been working as a coach of Nanterre since 1987, the combined week-long experience of winning the French Cup and the FIBA Europe Cup ranks among the most exciting achievements during his long years at the club.

🏀💥 La joie et la belle communion de @Nanterre92 avec son public 👏🎉🏆 2e titre en 3 jours pour les Franciliens ! #fibaeuropecup @FIBAEuropeCup pic.twitter.com/70BmwthCUX

— SFR Sport (@SFR_Sport) April 25, 2017

"This week was one of the most exciting to experience. We could have found ourselves with two big disappointments within a few days. There were three scenarios: winning none, one or two titles," said Donnadieu in a triumphant post-game press conference.

This adventure lasted seven days, and the way the team stuck together and showed determination, especially after the second half in Chalon, helped us win our second international title."

After giving up a 15-point lead on the first leg of the title-decider on the road in Chalon-sur-Saone, it was déjà vu all over again for coach Donnadieu, when his team's double-digit half-time advantage started melting away at a rapid pace.

"I felt like I was re-living the first game in Chalon. We played the first half on a very high level, especially on offense, where we made our shots and had very good flow. After that, when the fatigue came through, the flow and some shots were off, whereas Chalon made some big shots of their own, so of course I got scared," said the coach, trying to describe his emotional roller-coaster.

Elan Chalon had three opportunities to draw things level, but all three of their potentially game-tying long-range attempts in the last two minutes of the game clanged off the rim, with 3,000 of the team's supporters at the Palais des Sports Maurice Thorez and many more at home collectively holding their breath.

Pascal Donnadieu guided Nanterre to another European tite

"The bond we felt between each other and with the fans, it reminded me a bit of 2013 when we were crowned French champions. It’s extraordinary. Moments like these need to be cherished because they don’t come too often," said Donnadieu.

This was the team's second European trophy in the past three seasons, having also won the EuroChallenge back in 2015 on a Terrance Campbell buzzer-beater against Trabzonspor Medical Park in Turkey.

How do the two compare?

"The EuroChallenge Final 2015 and tonight were two different settings. The title two years was potentially even the bigger feat, as we played in Turkey and beat the Turkish home team in a crazy finish, with Mykal Riley, arguably one of our top three players, missing the Final with injury," the team's head coach recalled.

"However, this past week was similarly intense. Our great achievement is not only beating a high-quality team like Chalon, second-placed in the Pro A, but to have played three important games in a week and successfully kept our concentration, our mental and physical strength to eventually win two titles."

Au final @Nanterre92 remporte #fibaeuropecup face @ELANCHALON 82 à 79 après avoir gagné la coupe de France !!! https://t.co/W7ynqD3uky pic.twitter.com/KhENzmZbRe

— France 3 Paris (@France3Paris) April 25, 2017

Like all big achievements, Nanterre's success this week did not come without sacrifice. In this instance, it came mostly on the part of 26-year-old Nigerian center Talib Zanna, who suited up and played in spite of carrying a season-ending injury.

"Talib Zanna had a difficult time, as he had reoccurring issues with his knee, and I would like to stress his dedication during this challenging period," said Donnadieu in praise of his player, especially for his precious defensive effort. "Since the injury hindered him a lot, we had agreed that he would still help us until tonight’s game, but given the medical reports, it is time for him to rest and not risk his further career."

FIBA