This is the second time in three editions that Asvel and the club du Rocher face each other in the final in a competition where the champion has often changed heads before the return to the top of the Rhone club.

The 2019 final had turned to the advantage of Villeurbanne at the end of the suspense after a decisive fifth match.

But Monaco, after narrowly missing out on qualifying for the Euroleague Final Four, dreams of finally putting its name on the charts and has given itself the means to achieve its ambitions after getting its hands on the Eurocup last season. , the "little" European cup.

Villeurbanne players celebrate their title of champions of France, after winning the 5th decisive match against Monaco, on June 25, 2019 at the Astroballe Arena ROMAIN LAFABREGUE AFP / Archives

In four confrontations this season, the two teams are tied: each has indeed won away in the Euroleague and at home in the Elite.

"Losing it was not serious because there were other matches afterwards. There, each match is a cleaver match", underlines the back of Asvel Paul Lacombe, who will play his eighth consecutive final in Elite.

Three times unfortunate finalists in the championship (1950, 2018 and 2019), the Monegasques, in particular the Americans Dwayne Bacon, Donta Hall and Mike James, struggled to remobilize on the Elite after the elimination in the quarter-finals of Euroleague after an epic duel against the Greek club Olympiakos.

American full-back Monaco Mike James tries to steal the ball from the hands of French Olympiakos pivot Moustapha Fall during the Euroleague quarter-final on April 20, 2022 in Athens Angelos Tzortzinis AFP / Archives

Nevertheless, despite regular swings in concentration and a collective less oiled than in the European Cup, the "Roca Team" raised the bar after a surprise inaugural defeat against Strasbourg.

Since then, Monaco have had five wins in six play-off matches.

However, the team seems to be underperforming overall.

Like his last quarter during his qualification in Pau.

After leading by 16 points, the "Roca Boys" scared themselves with the exclusion of Leo Westermann, one of the collective cements of the team.

On the Monegasque side, physical and especially mental fatigue are felt and important players are no longer irremovable for Sasa Obradovic.

The Serbian coach no longer counts on his compatriot Danilo Andjusic or the Australian Brock Motum.

And more surprisingly, Obradovic also visibly no longer trusts the American leader Paris Lee, announced on the side of Panathinaikos according to the media.

Serbian coach of Monaco Sasa Obradovic, during the Euroleague quarter-final against Olympiakos, April 20, 2022 in Athens Angelos Tzortzinis AFP / Archives

The heat factor

If, moreover, Alpha Diallo's performance has been less good since his injury in Athens last month, Mike James has regained his often decisive influence.

Opposite, Asvel will rely on Elie Okobo, who could join the Principality team next season.

However, she will not be able to bet on the great hope Victor Wembanyama (18), victim of a muscle injury.

For their coach TJ Parker, "these are two large squads that have toured a lot during the season" who will compete.

Back Elie Okobo listens to instructions from Villeurbanne coach TJ Parker, during ASVEL's Euroleague match against Zalgiris Kaunas, on October 1, 2021 at the Astroballe Arena PHILIPPE DESMAZES AFP/Archives

The heat wave expected this week could also play a role.

"The heat at the Astroballe is complicated. It's not easy and in the room it can go very high", assures the coach.

The younger brother of the president of Asvel Tony Parker assures in any case that "Monaco has (had this season) easier trips than ours", because insured by private flights.

"We'll start playing tomorrow and we'll see," TJ Parker also replies about the supposed advantage of receiving for the first two games.

"Defining a favorite? Monaco has never won the title (...) Asvel is the reigning French champion and is defending its trophy", recalls Westermann for his part.

Clever way to put pressure on opponents.

The trophy which will be awarded to the French basketball champion is on display, before the 5th decisive match between Villeurbanne and Monaco, on June 25, 2019 at the Astroballe Arena ROMAIN LAFABREGUE AFP / Archives

"Without a title, there will be a taste of unfinished business," adds the French international, however.

"We have to give everything for the last ten days of the season. Just to finish in apotheosis", concludes Westermann.

© 2022 AFP