ASA Souffelweyersheim are 2025-26 Nationale 2 champions of France for the first time in the Alsatian club's history, beating Garonne Avenir Basket 78-63 in the Final Four title game on Sunday after surviving a thriller against La Pontoise in the semifinal a day earlier.
The final was decided in the opening 10 minutes. Coach Daniel Pereira 's side stormed out of the blocks with a devastating 27-13 first quarter that gave them a 14-point cushion they would never relinquish. Garonne coached by Matthieu Szymkowiak responded with a competitive 38-35 across the middle two quarters, but the deficit from that explosive start proved too deep to climb. Souffelweyersheim closed out the 15-point victory and lifted the only major French trophy still missing from their cabinet.
Saturday's semifinal had been a much closer affair. Souffelweyersheim led La Pontoise (Pool A winners) 41-38 at halftime, but coach Mathieu Guichard's side fought back to force overtime at 74-74. The Alsatians dug deep in the extra period to prevail 84-81 and book the final, while Garonne advanced by beating Laval the 2026 Trophee Coupe de France winners in the other semifinal.
J. Bach, the veteran wing and ASA mainstay, spoke movingly about the achievement, expressing pride in the squad and particularly the development of younger players across the season. The 39-year-old who had won the Nationale 1 title with ASA back in 2019 now adds the NM2 crown to his and the club's honours list.
Souffelweyersheim's path to the title reflected sustained excellence throughout the campaign. They topped Pool D in the regular season with a 21-5 record, demonstrating the consistency that ultimately translated into Final Four success.

US Laval overcame a rocky start to beat La Ravoire-Challes 80-69 at the Accor Arena on Friday night, claiming the 2026 Coupe de France Trophee Masculin in a contest between two Nationale Masculine 2 sides that turned on a pivotal second quarter.
The Savoyards dominated the early exchanges, racing to a 14-6 lead behind Maxime Djo Ebala (207-C-1994), who poured in 10 first-quarter points and imposed his team's rhythm on the contest. But Laval refused to buckle. Coach Sebastien Cartier's side gradually raised their intensity and clawed back to take a narrow 19-18 lead by the end of the first period.
The second quarter was where Laval seized control. Opening the period with a three-pointer that ignited the crowd, the Mayennais went on a decisive run fueled by Sandro Perazza (183-G-2002)'s speed in transition and Emryss Mormin (203-C/F-1996)'s presence inside, stretching the lead to 33-25. La Ravoire-Challes struggled with their shooting and free throws, though Alex Barraud (190-G-1998)'s buzzer-beating long-range bomb trimmed the halftime deficit to 36-41.
La Ravoire-Challes came out swinging in the third quarter, but Laval's collective play kept them at arm's length. Mormin continued to dominate in the paint, and when Antoine Belkessa (186-G-1988) drilled back-to-back three-pointers late in the period, the Mayennais opened a commanding 64-54 advantage heading into the fourth.
The final 10 minutes saw Laval maintain their cushion through suffocating defense. Michel Nsimba (199-PF-1993)'s and-one extended the lead further, and though Djo Ebala continued to fight for La Ravoire-Challes, pulling his side back within eight, Laval's composure at both ends proved the difference. The Mayennais closed out the 80-69 victory and the trophy.
Mormin was named Finals MVP for his commanding interior display. "The MVP is secondary," the big man said afterward. "The most important thing was getting it done with the team. Playing in an atmosphere like this, with the whole club behind us — this is a moment we'll never forget."
For La Ravoire-Challes, Djo Ebala was gracious in defeat, acknowledging that his side made too many mistakes at key moments. Coach Alexandre Coronet pointed to a costly second-quarter scoring drought as the turning point, but expressed pride in his young group's journey to the final.