The D2 playoffs resume after an August break.
Eight teams will face off in pairs based on their pool standings. The first from Pool A meets the second from Pool B, and so on.
The format is a best-of-three series, with the first to win two matches advancing. One game on Saturday and, if necessary, two on Sunday.
Béziers will battle on the home turf of La Rochelle’s Boucaniers.
Sénart 2 hosts Ronchin.
Valenciennes takes on Thiais.
And Clermont-Ferrand welcomes Anglet’s Gambas.
Given the regular season results, it’s hard to make any predictions. The teams have never faced each other and don’t know each other well. Teams like La Rochelle and Sénart can count on some reinforcements from their Division 1 players, whose season has ended. However, rules limit the use of such reinforcements.
Finally, weather can sometimes cause postponements, as sudden showers can disrupt games.
Four teams will emerge from these quarterfinals and meet again on September 18th for the semifinals, with the final two facing off on October 2nd.
Baseball TV France takes a stab at predictions and bets on Valenciennes to win the D2 French Championship…
Meanwhile, the play-downs will also take place. Unlike in Division 1, these matches matter as two teams are at risk of relegation to the regional division. Eight other teams will compete: Rouen 2, Montigny 2, Puc 2, Dunkerque, Montpellier 2, Eysines, Bréal, and Meyzieu. Two games on September 11th, then three games on September 17th and 18th. Teams will face each other up to five times, with the first to win three matches advancing. A final standings will then determine which two teams will be promoted to Division 2 for the 2023 championship.
