For a regular, it was “the best atmosphere of the season”. For Paris Basketball, this match 3 of the Betclic Élite semi-final undoubtedly looked more like a nightmare.
Largely in the lead at the start of the game (30-13 at the end of the first quarter, up to 20 points ahead), the Parisians were overthrown by Villeurbannais, notably led by a Paris Lee on fire (27 points) and a molten Astroball. “We have to give credit to Asvel because they forced our mistakes,” Tuomas Lisalo first conceded.
But the Finnish coach quickly pointed out the shortcomings of his players: “From the second quarter, there was less rhythm, more mistakes, this served Villeurbanne. Kratzer’s mistakes (five in ten minutes) were significant because he frees up a lot of space, he is our defensive leader and he is essential in our system. »
“It must also be said that we all have little experience in the playoffs”
A very specific tactical point which had also been mentioned a few minutes earlier by Mehdy Ngouama: “Our mistakes made very quickly created problems for us, our main interior failed us very quickly. They came back into the match thanks in particular to their 60% rebound, the match was decided on that.” However, the coach also criticized his team for resting on its laurels: “From the second quarter , there was less rhythm and more mistakes, the slower the pace, the more it served Asvel.”
“After the initial euphoria, we had a lack of consistency,” confirmed Mehdy Ngouama. » Visibly still in shock from the reversal of the situation, the leader even let a little resignation exude: “The fact of having had one day less recovery than Asvel after the quarter-finals certainly counted. It must also be said that we all have little experience in the playoffs, personally these are my first… Opposite us, we have a great team from Villeurbanne, with the return of Nando Colo. There are lots of factors, we will have to approach the last match with better energy and more consistency.”
“The mentality changed after match 2”
Provided you have mentally recovered from such a scenario. Tuomas Lisalo hopes his men will be able to turn the series around: “Clearly, the mentality changed after match 2. We have the impression that Asvel realized that everything was possible. It’s up to us to turn the series around, it’s a big challenge to take on.”
Is Paris capable of it? “Mentally, when we have achieved our goals, like with the victory in the LeadersCup, the victory in the EuroCup and when we achieve a great series of victories, it is complicated when we face a team which has not achieved all its goals. goals. But I am sure that we will find the resources for the next match. »
