Traveling to Fenerbahçe, poorly ranked but reigning European champion, on Thursday for the 9th day of the Euroleague, ASVEL, beaten 81-67, recorded its third defeat in a row and its seventh of the season in the competition. The Villeurbannais, who now have eleven away defeats, retain last place.
No exploit for ASVEL but a series of defeats which continues. Traveling to the Fenerbahçe court on Thursday evening during the 9th day of the Euroleague, the Villeurbannais were not unworthy against the European champions, to whom they posed some problems in the second half. Pierric Poupet’s men nevertheless suffered a new defeat (81-67), the third in a row after the disappointments recorded against Red Star Belgrade and especially Zalgiris Kaunas during the Rhodaniens’ last two outings.
The seventh already since the start of this new season in the competition for this ASVEL team which had slipped to last place after the spanking received in Lithuania (96-59) a week earlier and therefore remains bottom at the end of this new setback. A seventh defeat (for only two victories after nine days) which took place during a first half dominated by Wade Baldwin (14 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds) and the Turks.
Despite a record Traoré…
Already clearly in front after having made a much better start than these decimated Villeurbannais for this trip, with no less than six players absent, including the very precious Nando De Colo, the “Fener”, yet far from being in the form which allowed him to lift the trophy last June – the outgoing winners, only 16th before this match, remained on two defeats – further increased his lead during the second period, to return to the locker room with a nine-length lead (45-34).
Thanks in particular to Armel Traoré (18 points, 5 rebounds) author of his Euroleague record (but who was then injured) and the always valuable Glynn Watson (12 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds), ASVEL never sank subsequently in the second half. She even had an even playing time, before giving up again, at the end of the match, to finally lose by 14 points. The Villeurbannais, who remain on eleven away defeats, are more difficult than ever.
