Madrid (AFP)
After two big victories against two European leaders, Barcelona and Panathinaikos, Villeurbanne ended his good series Friday on the floor of Real Madrid (91-84) for the 12th day of Euroleague.
A terribly frustrating setback, because TJ Parker's men led throughout the game (except for a 17-16 for Real in the first quarter), before giving in on an award-winning shot from veteran Sergio Llull in the center of four minutes from the final buzzer, which allowed Real to return to the front for the first time in the match (82-79).
With a record of three wins for seven defeats, Asvel therefore stalls in 17th and penultimate place in the Euroleague standings.
As often this season, Asvel's inexperience at the highest European level was felt at the end of the match.
After its incredible success rate of 70% at 3 points against the "Pana" (17/24) Tuesday, the address of Asvel lasted another quarter, with an insolent 6/7 behind the arc in the first act, under the eyes of President Tony Parker, who made the trip to Spain ...
But the address withered as the game progressed, eventually changing sides in the final (11/22 at the end of the three-point match), to the rhythm of the arrows of the indefatigable Llull ( 19 pts).
Less tight in defense than on Tuesday, where they had limited the Greeks to 30 pts at the break, TJ Parker's men struggled to keep the giant Walter Tavares in the paint (19 pts).
Amputees of their titular leader Facundo Campazzo, who left to join the Denver Nuggets in the NBA, the teammates of Fabien Causeur, still excellent Friday with 13 points, in the wake of his 21 points against Baskonia on Tuesday, sounded the revolt a little late, but managed to pull off a success that was unexpected in the first half.
"We talked between us and it helped us bounce back after several disappointments. We were able to raise our heads and win. Now anything is possible," however, confided winger William Howard Tuesday after the success against Panathinaikos ( 97-73), which had allowed Asvel to begin to dream.
Despite the defeat, Asvel showed great things on Madrid soil, which he will have to confirm on Tuesday against another European giant, Efes Istanbul.
© 2020 AFP