Basketball: Asvel returns to success in the Euroleague against Kaunas, Monaco wins in Milan

Asvel won its first victory of the season in the Euroleague against the Lithuanians of Kaunas 91-88 on Thursday during the 6th day and ended a series of 18 consecutive defeats in the competition.

Barely more than a week after the arrival of Italian coach Gianmarco Pozzecco on the bench, the Villeurbannais returned to a success that had eluded them since January 26 and a victory at the Astroballe against Fenerbahce. The teammates of rookie Timothée Luwawu-Cabarrot, who arrived this summer and played a great match in Kaunas (19 points), delivered a great performance, even if they remained behind the Lithuanians during almost the entire match. .

Trailing by 13 points at the end of the third quarter, Asvel recovered to come back to within two points, before taking control for the first time in the game 1 min 24 sec from the buzzer. With composure, the Rhone residents held on to achieve this precious success, despite the impressive three-point skill of the Zalgiris players during a large part of the match.

But the "Poz'" paw was noticed at the end of the match, when his men closed ranks, and limited the Lithuanians to only eight points in the last quarter to win in their boiling room. Asvel will travel to the Monaco court during the 7th day, November 10, where it will try to stop another series: that of four victories in a row signed by the Roca Team thanks to its success in Milan 72-66 .

The Monegasques suffered to win, but put up an iron defense against the Milanese of the famous technician Ettore Messina, announced candidates for the Final Four. At the end of a dull match, Monaco made the difference thanks to the dazzling performances of one of its American stars, leader Mike James, author of 21 points including a winning shot sealing the victory for his team in the final seconds.

The Rocher team remains in sixth place while awaiting the final matches of the sixth day on Friday.