Led throughout the final (1-0 then 2-1) before pushing the Roca Team to the fateful fifth meeting, Asvel continued their domination on the national scene with a hat-trick: 2019, 2021 then 2022. 2020, the season had been interrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic and no team had been crowned.

The "Old Lady" even adds a 21st title of champion of France to her record, the most extensive in France, while Monaco is still chasing its first coronation.

For the Roca Team, history seems to repeat itself: the club had already lost in the final of the Elite 2018 and 2019, already after a fifth meeting, and is slow to confirm its ambitions in France.

This title rewards the experience and continuity of Asvel, which also came close to elimination in the first round of the final phase by being led 1 to 0 against Cholet, before reversing the situation.

Asvel player David Lighty scores a basket against Monaco in the final of the French championship, June 25, 2022 in Villeurbanne JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK AFP

This happy epilogue contrasts with the disappointing course of the historic French basketball club in the Euroleague.

Despite a good start in Europe's toughest club competition, the Villeurbannais collapsed in the second half of the season, finishing in penultimate place.

Decisive William Howard

Conversely, the Roca Team shone on the European scene, qualifying for the final phase and failing only against Olympiakos in the quarter-finals, after a Homeric confrontation.

Asvel player Elie Okobo (d) ball in hand in front of Monegasque Paris Lee in the final of the French Championship, June 25, 2022 in Villeurbanne JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK AFP

In the final, it was undoubtedly the collective spirit that ASM lacked, with the addition of brilliant players individually.

Thus, the trio of pure attackers Mike James-Dwayne Bacon-Alpha Diallo was not enough for the Monegasques, overwhelmed by the solidarity of Villeurbanne.

Until the end, these two teams did not seem to be able to decide, as until this final match, where they were tied (4-4) after eight games this season.

Villeurbanne led until the third quarter, but seemed to lose track in the final quarter.

The Villeurbannais finally had the opportunity to win the match when Elie Okobo appeared on the free throw line when the two teams were tied a few seconds from time (75-75)... But failed.

The president of Asvel Tony Parker (d) congratulates David Lighty after the victory in the final of the French Championship against Monaco, June 25, 2022 in Villeurbanne JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK AFP

Whatever, Asvel dominated the overtime thanks to a winning shot and a decisive counter from William Howard (15 points, 9 rebounds in total) and the Astroballe was able to let its joy burst.

© 2022 AFP