Cholet Basket, a professional basketball team based in Cholet, France, fell to Gravelines-Dunkerque with a final score of 83-94 in the semi-final of the Trophée Sablé Sarthe Pays de la Loire on Saturday, September 12. The game was part of the pre-season schedule, which teams use to prepare for the official league season that typically begins in the fall. Gravelines-Dunkerque, another French basketball club, secured their place in the final with this victory. The match took place in a competitive environment, with both teams aiming to improve their performance and test their strategies before the start of the regular season. Despite showing effort, Cholet Basket struggled to match Gravelines-Dunkerque’s intensity and scoring throughout the game, ultimately resulting in a double-digit loss. Following the game, Cholet Basket’s coach, Fabrice Lefrançois, expressed his disappointment with the team's performance. He noted that the team had not made the expected progress compared to their previous pre-season matches, indicating that there are still areas needing improvement before the official season begins. Lefrançois emphasized the importance of learning from this loss and highlighted the need for the team to regroup and focus on the upcoming challenges. The final of the Trophée Sablé Sarthe Pays de la Loire will now be contested between Gravelines-Dunkerque and the other semi-final winner, offering an opportunity for the champion to gain valuable experience and confidence ahead of the regular season.