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Eli Junior Kroupi at the double to keep Lorient top

Oh Ligue 2 BKT, how we've missed you! France's all-action second division was back following the international break last weekend and with all of the top three winning their matches - the race for promotion is as tight as ever!
George Boxall
Published on 04/01/2025 at 14:00
2-minute read
It's the business end of the season as Ligue 2 BKT returns from the international break and the race for promotion heats up.

On Friday evening it was FC Metz who kicked off the action for the promotion candidates, managing to overcome Troyes with 10 men. But it all kicked off ideally for Les Grenats, who opened the scoring after a bursting mazy run and clinical finish from Guathier Hein after cutting inside the Troyan defence (41'). In the second half it was Ablie Jallow to double the lead late on (81') before a Troyes fightback came through Nicolas de Préviille's poked effort to give Metz a little scare (90+2'). A red card came for Metz's Koffi Kouao, but the result was seen out by Stephan Le Mignan's men.

Eli Junior Kroupi at the double for Lorient

The action then continued on Saturday as league leaders Lorient travelled to the Alps to face Grenoble. Joel Mvuka was fouled in the box and it led to an early opportunity for Les Merlus to get in front from the spot. Of course, it was Eli Junior Kroupi who stepped up and converted confidently (7'). The 22-year-old then followed it up with his second: a poked volley after a cushioned header from Mohamed Bamba (17') for his 15th goal of the season in Lorient colours. Whilst Grenoble's Ayoub Jabbari got a goal back from a long freekick (36'), the Bretons managed to see out the result and stay top of the league.

PFC keep up with Metz

It was then Paris FC's turn to follow up on Monday evening, as they piled on the misery on struggling SM Caen at Stade Charléty to stay within one point of Metz in the race for promotion to Ligue 1 McDonald's. Captain Timothée Kolodziejczak nodded Les Parisiens ahead (12') before Jean-Phillipe Krasso doubled the lead in the capital (31').

Mathieu Cafaro then grabbed the third just before half-time after a piercing run through the Caen backline and a low finish (43'). Stephane Gilli's men constructed a fine fourth goal as PFC's midfield played around the Caen press and saw Maxime Lopez combine well with Kebbal before Krasso was sent through on goal and finished deftly.

Michel De Zakarian's side scored two late goals through Godson Kyeremeh (82') and then an own goal from Mathys Tourraine (90+1') took some of the gloss for Les Parisiens, but they got the job done against Ligue 2 BKT's bottom side.

>>Metz replace Paris FC in top two after late drama at Dunkerque

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