A week after falling in the final moments against Real Madrid (76-77), the reigning champion, the Asvel players are off to a good start to 2024. Against one of the only two teams they had beaten, the men of Gianmarco Pozzecco won again against Zalgiris Kaunas at home this time (93-79).
Thanks to a duo composed of Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (27 points, 10/11 shooting) and Youssoupha Fall (22 points, 12 rebounds) on big nights, the bottom of the rankings are finally returning to success. Never really worried but without ever really killing the match either, the Asvel players were in front at the break. The halftime score was 51-43 for the Villeurbannais. Then at the end of the match, a burst of pride from the Lithuanians as well as a relaxation from the French and the gap began to melt like snow in the sun.
Still deprived of his maestro Nando de Colo, Gianmarco Pozzecco was able to count on his other leader Paris Lee (22 points, 4/7 at 3 points) to revive his team in moments of doubt and finally fly to a victory (93 -79). After last week’s encouraging defeat, the players led by Tony Parker finally seem to have found their rhythm for this second part of the season.
Asvel won its third success of the season in the Euroleague, ending a series of ten defeats in a row (16 in total), but remained last in the competition. The Villeurbannais have not won at home in the Euroleague since January 26, 2023.
