A full hour after the end of the match in Bourg-en-Bresse and the handover of the Eurocup, Thuomas Lisalo answers, in English as always, the first question in his press briefing. The Finnish coach of Paris Basketball does not have time to finish his first sentence. His players, in fury, suddenly burst into the room screaming and spraying him with water, him and his leader TJ Short doubly named MVP of the Eurocup season and MVP of the final.
A year after winning the BCL, the third of the European Cups with Bonn, Lisalo won the Eurocup with 6 players and three members of his staff who crossed the Rhine with him. It's as if in football, a coach won the Europa League conference then the Europa League the following year. It's unique. “I tell you and I mean it very sincerely: Tuomas Iisalo is a genius,” David Kahn, the Parisian president, slips in passing.
“This European trophy symbolizes the meteoric progress of this club,” says the former Finnish international. I don't know if there is an equivalent in the history of European basketball, thanks to all the work of Eric Schwarz and David Kahn (the American shareholders). When they presented the project to me last summer, they told me that they needed a little something more, they trusted me and gave me the keys to the sports part. It wasn't easy because I can have a difficult personality. »
In Paris, no one regrets this choice, obviously. “The victory in the Leaders Cup, the Eurocup title, the inauguration of the Arena, 13,000 people at Bercy against Monaco: we are doing something unique,” rejoices Lisalo. At the start of the season, I called my friends in Finland and told them:
There is so much talent in this country, such a basketball culture in Paris, we can do something special.”
It's already done. Let us remember that this team has already played 54 games this season, that it has only lost eight, that it remains on a now-long streak of 20 games without defeat and that it has single-handedly got its hands on the two trophies of the season: the Leaders Cup and this Eurocup.
She is so solid that she triumphed in the Ekinox cauldron in Bourg in front of one of the best French teams and a hot audience after being manhandled for half-time. “We have confidence in ourselves,” says captain Michael Kessens. This title is enormous, it is the culmination of work started in August. We overcame lots of obstacles with a group who signed up to coach Lisalo's project. For the club, it's a big step towards something else. But before we think about it, we're celebrating this victory with this huge group of guys. »
“I am also so proud and grateful to be part of this group,” relishes Finnish international Mickael Jantunen. It’s crazy what the club has been through for two months: the Leaders Cup, the Adidas Arena, the Eurocup…”
Confetti in his hair and basket net as a necklace, Nadir Hifi is also in heaven. Three years ago, he played in Nationale 3. With Portel, he made his professional debut in this same gym in Bourg. Here he is at 21, European champion. “I’m so proud of us, we’ve been working so hard since August for this,” says the new French international. I'm in an organization that couldn't be better than this one. I'm lucky not to feel the pressure, that's why I'm given these responsibilities at this age. I take advantage of it. I feel the confidence of my coaches and teammates. To be given responsibilities like that at this age is incredible. »
Under the eyes of the Euroleague leaders
And it's not over ! With this victory won under the eyes of the two highest leaders of the Euroleague, the former Serbian legend Dejan Bodiroga (president) and the Lithuanian Paulius Motiejunas (CEO), Paris Basketball has a ticket for the most prestigious European competition. Its leaders have not yet said whether or not they will take up the challenge.
“I’m superstitious,” confides President David Kahn. I didn't come when we lost at Bourg in the championship in December. So, I wanted to ward off fate by coming this time and I think I did well. I feel so much pride. The club is not even 6 years old, I remind you and we still have to take into account at this time, the interruption due to Covid which had a big impact. With everything we have already accomplished, I don't know what the next step will be. »
There is one that is coming up quickly: the French Championship. Paris Basketball is second in Betclic Elite behind Monaco and ahead of Asvel. This season, Paris has already beaten these two clubs which play in the Euroleague. Paris is a more than serious candidate for the title of champion of France to achieve a single set. With this team, nothing is impossible.