Paris Basketball enters the final stretch of its preseason preparations in England, squaring off against elite European competition at the London Lions Invitational ahead of the upcoming LNB Pro A and EuroLeague campaigns. According to reports from European basketball coverage, the club’s traveling squad arrived in the United Kingdom following a productive summer camp and a narrow 89-85 victory over Orléans, looking to fine-tune rotations under the direction of coach Maxime Lefèvre.
Preseason Journey Leads to London
The French capital club’s trip across the Channel follows a rigorous preparation schedule that included a training camp in Menorca. During that Spanish excursion, Paris Basketball notched a dominant 95-62 win against Bàsquet Menorca, establishing positive momentum that management and the coaching staff aim to extend on British hardwood. These final test matches serve as the ultimate dress rehearsal before the squad returns home for the official domestic and continental tip-offs.
High-Stakes Tournament Format and Opening Fixtures
The London Lions Invitational features a EuroLeague-calibre field designed to test the limits of every participating roster. Paris Basketball opens its tournament slate on Thursday, September 11, at 20:30 local time, drawing a formidable matchup against Zalgiris Kaunas. The Lithuanian powerhouse arrives in London anchored by former NBA veteran Jonas Valančiūnas, providing an immediate physical and tactical benchmark for the Parisian frontline.
Depending on the outcome of Thursday’s opener, the French side will return to the floor on Friday, September 12. A defeat places them in a 17:30 fixture, while a victory advances them to the 20:30 bracket final. Potential second-day opponents include the tournament hosts, the London Lions, or Śląsk Wrocław, recognized historically as one of Poland’s most decorated basketball clubs. Official tournament broadcasts and live streams for these matches are scheduled to air on the London Lions YouTube channel.
Countdown to the adidas Arena Return
Once the final whistle blows in England, Paris Basketball faces a brief turnaround before returning to competitive action. The club opens its home schedule in grand fashion at the adidas Arena, where fans can secure tickets for individual marquee fixtures or opt for full-season packages. With the LNB SuperCup scheduled for September 19 and 20, followed closely by the resumption of high-level European play, the matches in London represent the final opportunity for the squad to solidify its identity before the games begin to count in the standings.
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