Villeurbanne (AFP)
After two defeats away, Villeurbanne returned to victory in Euroleague Tuesday finding his Astrobal against Vitoria, 66 to 63.
ASVEL had started his campaign with two feats in front of his home crowd against the Olympiakos and Panathinaikos, but had stalled at Bayern Munich and Kaunas.
The Villeurbannais made the difference in the third quarter after a long run after the score because of a failed attack.
It was above all their defensive activity that allowed them to win this great success against the Spanish Basque club, a sure bet for the Euroleague (1/4 finalist last season).
"We did a good game, especially in defense, maybe it was not the best game, you always have to celebrate the victories, we do not know how many there will be!", Reacted after the meeting on leader Antoine Diot, whose team was deprived of the young leader Théo Maledon and the American interior Adreain Payne.
Quickly led 9-2 (then 36-30 at the break), the champions of France had to wait the 33rd minute to pass for the first time in front.
With some key players struggling, like Edwin Jackson (4 points 1 in 6 shot), ASVEL was able to rely on his bench. The very young leader Matthew Strazel showed his cheek from his first minutes in Euroleague, scoring a 3-of-4 three-pointer at 17.
"He's been incredible, he's the one who sets the tone, he puts the shots and he creates the game," said the experienced Diot (10 points) at the microphone of RMC Sport.
Nigeria's Tonye Jekiri has signed a new double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
ASVEL will travel to Valencia, Spain on Friday to play its fourth match in ten days between the Euroleague and the French Championship (where it is still unbeaten) with the hope of opening its meter outside. .
© 2019 AFP