Paris (AFP)

Asvel, reigning French champion, obtained the A license allowing it to become a permanent member of the Euroleague next season, we learned on Friday from OL and the organizing body of the competition.

This decision is still subject to "the official approval of the General Meeting of Shareholders of ECA (Euroleague Commercial Assets) to be held in July," said the Villeurbanne club in a press release.

"It was a dream when I arrived, which is now becoming reality!" Said Tony Parker, the club's president and shareholder.

"It is not now that we are going to relax our efforts, on the contrary. We now want to prove that we deserve this place among the greatest, we want to place LDLC ASVEL at the top!"

An agreement in principle had been found in January so that the Rhone club could benefit from this sesame.

"It is very important for us to have a French representative in the competition," said Jordi Bertomeu, the president of the organizing body of the competition.

With this license, the Lyon-Villeurbanne club will be able to participate each year, from next season, in the most important interclub basketball competition behind the American NBA, of which it finished in 14th place this year as a guest member.

Asvel had obtained in 2018, under the leadership of Tony Parker, a first invitation for two seasons (from 2019 to 2021) in order to prove itself, which now seems to be done.

"Together, we will continue to work so that LDLC ASVEL shines in Europe, but also in the whole world", for his part declared Friday Jean-Michel Aulas, president of OL Groupe, which holds 33% of the capital of the company. 'Asvel since 2020.

Obtaining a permanent seat at the table of the greats of Europe is another big step forward for the Villeurban residents, who are now awaiting the delivery, by 2023/24, of a new multipurpose hall with 15,000 seats. on the OL Vallée site in Décines-Charpieu.

In addition to Asvel, Bayern Munich, another club linked to a big name in European football, also obtained an A License as a permanent member of the Euroleague, after finishing 5th in the regular season this year and being eliminated. by Olimpia Milan in the quarterfinals of the play-offs.

The two clubs therefore bring to 13 the number of permanent members among the 18 teams that compete each year in the Euroleague.

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