On one side, the Bayonnais are irresistible, launching an impressive series of ten championship victories. On the other side, the Béarnais are losing momentum, defeated three times in a row and losing their first place. This shuffles the deck before an upcoming open showdown. But more than the current form states, it’s the context that electrifies this final scheduled for this Friday.
Less than 40 hours later (Sunday at 3 pm), both teams will dive back into their respective championships, with promotion in sight. A harrowing sequence that tenses both sides. “It creates internal tensions. We gave ourselves the right to play this final and the promotion. In the end, it becomes a weekend of constraints,” sighs Marc Le Moël, the bitter Bayonnais coach. “The Pyrenees clubs are not highly regarded in Bordeaux. There was a date available on May 16.”
The Calendar Mix-up
The last two matchdays of the R2 and R3 championships are set for this weekend and May 23. A fallback date, authorized by the New Aquitaine League on May 16, could have been considered to let the Bayonne Crois play the final on Friday without being forced to play a crucial match for promotion to Biscarrosse 40 hours later. Even professional players do not play two matches with such a short gap! “At worst, there was also Thursday, May 14, a public holiday to play in Biscarrosse, but it was the Landes club that refused to play on that date,” regrets Marc Le Moël, the Crois coach.
And the problem also arises for Asmur, second with two points and one match behind the leader Arlac. The Béarnais will have to juggle the cup final and a crucial match for promotion to N3 with four matchdays left.
Cup or Championship?
Between a staff and management focused on the championship and players tempted by a double, the equation is delicate. However, on the field, intentions should be clear. “Both teams are attack-minded. But it will depend on the players chosen,” warns the Bayonne coach, being realistic. “We are clearly the underdogs.”
In a duel promising goals, the key may lie elsewhere. “It will come down to defensive details,” he insists. A tense final, between ambition, fatigue, and frustration, where every mistake could be very costly. The last final between the two teams favored the Crois (2023, 1-0) who were already in R2 but Asmur was in R3 at the time.
