A victory: that’s all that Paris Basketball is missing to reach the final of the Eurocup, the second of the European competitions. At the end of a marathon of already 20 matches started at the beginning of October, the capital club is reaching its goal. During this entire journey, Paris has only lost once, in Istanbul against Besiktas who Bourg-en-Bresse faces this Friday (7 p.m.) in the other semi-final. Bourg also leads 1-0. The journey so far has been almost perfect, but it will be of no use if there is no reward at the end.
This missing victory, the team of coach Tuomas Lisalo can go get it from March 29 in London against the Lions in the duel of the capitals (8:30 p.m. on Skweek). The semi-final (like the final which will begin on April 9) is played as a best of three matches. On Tuesday, Paris won the first round. He now has every interest in finishing the series in the Copper Box Arena at the Olympic Park in London to avoid the pressure of a great decisive match at home on April 3.
This match 2 will be played behind closed doors in front of 7,000 supporters. “I am confident that Paris will complete the series in the second match,” confides Pape-Philippe Amagou, the former French champion with Le Mans (2006, 2018) and Nancy (2008). The key is the intensity that Paris puts over a long period. We saw it in match 1 on Tuesday: London did not last the distance and took on water. Paris plays like a steamroller NCAA university team that constantly puts pressure on its opponent to crack at one point or another. It happens very often in the third quarter. »
Paris remains on a series of 14 victories
Several figures argue in favor of a favorable outcome. This is the fourth time this season, after two group duels, that the two capitals face each other and Paris leads 3-0. However, it took a double extension to overcome the London Lions in January. “However, let’s not fall into this trap,” warns Nadir Hifi. It’s not because we lead the series that London is incapable of beating us twice in one week. » Paris is a team that (almost) never loses.
His record this season is 35 victories for only 8 defeats in all competitions. Already winners of the Leaders Cup, David Khan’s club remains on an ongoing series of 14 consecutive victories. With two matches per week, his last setback dates back to the end of January.
“Paris has toughness, athletic qualities, great complementarity, exceptional players like TJ Shorts, Nadir Hifi who is a walking firecracker. This team plays its part to perfection. And let’s be clear: Paris Basketball is not close to the final because the level of the Eurocup is low. It is, on the contrary, a very tough competition, with referenced clubs. We should be delighted that two French clubs are in the last four. They are the strongest among some of the finest European teams,” continues the Skweek consultant, commenting on the match this Friday.
Beyond a ticket for the final, this match is also crucial for the future of Paris: the winner of this competition will earn an invitation to the Euroleague in 2024-2025. Whatever opponent is proposed to it at that time, Paris will start as favorite. At the end of the final which will end no later than April 17 in the event of match 3, Paris will perhaps have guaranteed access to the big leagues with Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Belgrade, Monaco…. “We want to bring Paris into another dimension,” warns international Nadir Hifi. Basketball in Paris has never been so close.
