Lyons. For ASVEL, Monaco was served too hot –
TextMorgan Couturier – Opposed to its great rival Monegasque, the LDLC ASVEL sank after match 1 of the Betclic Elite finals (74-82), where it never managed to take matters into its own hands. Home advantage is lost, but President Parker’s side hope to bounce back this Friday.
In these hot weather, cooling down a little was not a far-fetched idea. It was then advised to the LDLC ASVEL to hydrate well, to face the furnace of the Astroballe and then dream of a third consecutive title of champion of France. For this, it would have been recommended to TJ Parker and his team to offer themselves in Monaco, this Wednesday. Unfortunately, such an order could not be placed. The service offered has never lived up to the event. Or a few seconds at most, the time to Youssoupha Falls to deliver a first counter on james, and to ignite a little more the room villeurbannaise. And then curtain.
While the Green Gones had summoned their team to take “the road to climb the Rock”, the latter finally stumbled in the great widths. And from the first steps. Over the course of a painful start to the match where Monaco quickly led 9-2, the LDLC ASVEL seemed to suffocate and sweat fear. The fear of shooting, when the outside address was lacking. The fear of sinking too, while the Monegasques sprayed from all sides, without ever missing the target.
A revenge to take before “climbing the Rock”
Result, under the eyes of Tony Parker and Jean-Michel Aulas, the Green Team drew 12 lengths at the end of the first quarter (29-17), before seeing the delay widen to +19 at the dawn of half-time. A refreshing break full of appropriateness, judging by a saving return from the locker room, where rediscovered desire, Chris Jones and his came back to six small points.
The hope was there. It disappeared as quickly as the few drops that fell in the evening. Monaco’s last push was enough for the visitors to resist, despite two last quarters won on points (18-16 and 20-17, editor’s note). Still, at the final count, the Roca Team was declared the winner. At the end of this match 1, the LDLC ASVEL is certainly not knocked out, but at the risk of seeing the trophy fly away from its bases, it will have to wake up. From this Friday. Saber le champagne will then pass through Monaco. But that, it is not yet the time to think about it.
>Next match, this Friday, June 17 at 8:30 p.m. at the Astroballe