They arrived at coffee time and halfway through the first quarter final between Boulogne-Levallois and Cholet (82-74). Tony Parker and Boris Diaw sat side by side and it was easy to spot them. A pack of fans did not let go of a sole.
This Saturday at 6 p.m., the accomplices of always, European champions with the Blues in 2013 and NBA with the Spurs a few months later, will still be together. But one against the other: Tony Parker, owner of Asvel, will be in his corner, Boris Diaw, president of Boulogne-Levallois, in his. Their two clubs compete for a place in the Leaders Cup final. A competition installed at Mickey's since 2013 and which has since been refused to the two clubs.
Perfect equality after two league games
This is the third time this season that the two powers of the Jeep Elite have faced off. But it will be the first under the eyes of the two legends of tricolor basketball. In December, Diaw was there but Parker was not. Last Sunday, for the return to the Rhône, the two bosses were busy elsewhere.
For the moment, between the two friends, there is no jealousy: equality is perfect. Asvel won Levallois by 10 points (86-76) and the Metropolitans took their revenge 6 days ago with the same gap (79-69), inflicting on the defending champion of France his first setback of the season home.
On neutral ground at Disneyland Paris, the beauty is worth the trip. "We played them a few days ago," smiled Fred Fauthoux, the Mets' coach. It represents a big advantage because there is no need to make video session (smile) . We have a close-knit team where danger comes from everywhere. "
Psychological advantage in Boulogne-Levallois
On paper, the Ile-de-France people, launched into a perfect dynamic, may have a little psychological advantage. However, faced with a machine like Asvel, which only made a mouthful of Strasbourg (91-72), this may not be enough.
“Compared to last Sunday, there is no feeling of revenge, says Villeurbannais and former Levallois Antoine Diot. It is not the same competition. There is just a good game to play for a place in the final against a very good team. "There is also a trophy to go and it goes through the Mets," insists the tricolor hope Théo Maledon.
Newsletter - The essentials of the news
Every morning, the news seen by Le ParisienI'm registering
Your email address is collected by Le Parisien to allow you to receive our news and commercial offers. Find out more
Even in the event of a victory this Saturday, not sure however that Diaw or Parker is lifting the trophy. In the other half of the table, Dijon and Monaco, the two championship leaders, meet at 8 p.m. Friday, the Monegasques had the skin of Nanterre, deprived for two months of his interior Youssou NDoye, victim of a large muscle injury. Nanterre resisted well but fell (70-82), courageously as always.