Le Mans — Rostock Seawolves: 82:70, EuroCup Basketball

Le Mans claimed an 82-70 victory over Rostock Seawolves in the EuroCup on Wednesday evening. The French side held firm against a German outfit that had looked sharp in recent fixtures. We had backed the visitors at 62 per cent confidence, but the match followed a different path entirely. What shifted the balance was Rostock's inability to convert from distance — they launched 36 three-point attempts and managed just seven.

Le Mans shot 30 from 70 in overall field goals, while their opponents managed 26 from 77. The difference at the rim proved decisive, as the home side's efficiency in two-point range carried them through. Rostock found themselves chasing the game rather than controlling it, a situation they rarely face in their own half.

Rebounding gave the visitors a slight edge with 44 to 38, yet it meant little without the shooting to match. Le Mans recorded 17 assists against 11 for Rostock, suggesting better ball movement when it mattered. The visitors committed 13 turnovers compared to nine for the hosts, and that imbalance cost them momentum.

Le Mans arrived with mixed results — a win over Saint-Quentin, losses to Torton and Paris Basketball — but looked more settled than in previous outings. Rostock had won their last two comfortably, beating Würzburg 101-62 and Riga Zeļļi 87-86, yet those results proved fragile against a disciplined defence.

The victory moves Le Mans into a stronger position in the standings, while Rostock's winning streak ends here. Seven points separate the sides, and the home crowd will remember this one for some time.