Every week since the start of the year, Paris Basketball has played the most important match in its history.
This was the case in February with the Leaders Cup final won against Nanterre (90-85).
This was the case with the quarter-final of the Eurocup against the Spaniards of Badalone two weeks ago (86-70).
This is the case again this Tuesday, March 26: in the semi-final of the Eurocup, Paris receives the “London Lions”, the Lions of London.
“It's great to write the history of a club but we don't enjoy it that much in the middle of the season because the matches keep coming.
The club has a lot of ambitions, we are growing with it,” relishes Parisian leader TJ Shorts.
This clash between the two capitals is the first leg of the semi-final of the second of the European Cups, the equivalent of the Europa League for footballers.
It is played in the best of three matches: the return will take place on March 29 on the banks of the Thames and the possible return on April 3 on those of the Seine.
Paris Basketball benefits from home advantage, having lost only one of its 19 matches since the start of the competition in the fall.
“With the three-game series, we have a little more room to maneuver to prepare our oppositions.
We talk about winning every game.
It's a mindset that works well for us, there's no reason to change that.
» says Tuomas Iisalo, the Finnish coach of the PBB.
THE CLASH IS BACK ⚡️😈
After two games won by the team in the regular season, we find our European rival London in the semi-final Tuesday evening at home 💥
2 ambitious teams🔝
1 only to reach the last step☝️
TAKE YOUR PLACE 🎟️ https://t.co/9oT7p2SxzJ🔗 pic.twitter.com/hLhBWFYSDp
— Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) March 22, 2024
During the group stage, the two clubs have already met and Paris won both legs: 106-102 in London and 94-77 at the Carpentier Hall the day after Christmas.
Beyond qualifying for the final which would be the third for a French club after Strasbourg in 2016 and Monaco in 2021, this series has a considerable stake: Paris Basketball is getting closer and closer to the Euroleague.
Remember that the winner of this European Cup will have direct access to the Euroleague for the 2024-2025 season.
It is through this that Monaco, winner three years ago, invited itself there.
This means that to enter the big leagues, Paris has “only” 4 matches to win: two in the semi-final and two in the final which will be played in the same format.
“In the locker room we don't talk about winning the Eurocup to access the Euroleague” warns the coach.
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In the event of qualification, Paris will meet the winner of the duel between Bourg and the Turks Besiktas Istanbul.
We are already starting to believe in a 100% French final.
“I am happy that there are two French teams in the semi-finals,” considers Tuomas Iisalo.
That says a lot about the level of our Championship.
It’s an opportunity to show Europe that things are happening in this country, that there is a big level.
»
The start of this first round (live on Skweek) is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. at the Adidas Arena, Porte de la Chapelle in Paris.
Places are still available.