Eurocup, Paris-Levallois beats Strasbourg

There were just four games in the Eurocup on Tuesday as the fifth round of the competition got underway. The remaining scheduled games for this week will take place on Wednesday, fourteen encounters in total. As for tonight, there may have only been four games, but there was plenty of action on the hardwood, especially with three road wins to shock the local supporters and even a hot derby game.

Group A

An all-French encounter brought a bit of fiery one-upmanship to the Eurocup tonight as Paris Levallois took out ProA rival Strasbourg 76-61 at home. Strasbourg remains top of the standings with a 4-1 record, but was handed its first defeat of the European campaign. As for Paris, they are now right back in the mix with a 2-3 record.

A massive first half proved the difference between the teams as Paris-Levallois got off to a rollicking start with a 20-14 first quarter. The hosts continued the hot streak in the second stint with a 23-12 run, shocking Strasbourg in the process. Paris led 43-26 at the long break, but in the third quarter the visitors showed their quality with a 13-25 charge, cutting the deficit to five points through 30 minutes (56-51). The home team recovered from the third period blip and stormed the final act 20-10 to collect a much needed win.

Group B

Also in action in France were ASVEL Lyon, but they struggled at home against a Gran Canaria Las Palmas outfit that looks in good touch. The Spanish visitors won the game comfortably 75-92 to maintain its unblemished record at 5-0 in Group B. ASVEL on the other hand will need to regroup to improve on its 2-3 record, but the club is in the hunt for the Last 32 regardless.

An exciting first quarter saw the buckets fly in for both teams, and the scoreboard reflected it with nothing in the game. Through 10 minutes Gran Canaria had edged to a 21-22 lead. The visitors carried the winning momentum to the second quarter and put together a 22-27 run to take control of the game at the midway buzzer, 43-39. Another 27 point haul aided Gran Canaria’s cause, especially as they held Lyon to 19 points in the third. The Spanish team carried a 62-76 lead into the final frame and maintained their winning run with a 13-16 quarter to seal the win.

Group D

Union Olimpija Ljubljana ensured it would hold at least shared possession of the lead in Group D with a 74-83 road win over VEF Riga. The Latvian hosts slipped to a 1-4 record and qualification for the next round of the Eurocup is looking increasingly unlikely. As for Union Olimpija, their solid season continues as they now command a 4-1 record.

A shockingly poor first frame from Riga stunned the home support as the team only mustered 5 points through the opening 10 minutes. It was a game losing run, but credit must go to Union Olimpija for an all-round good display through the stanza as they scored 26 at the other end. VEF Riga improved greatly in the second quarter and scored 23 points, but the visitors stayed on track with 24 points of their own (28-50 at halftime). The Latvians found a rhythm in the third act to win it 24-14, while a 22-19 score line in the fourth quarter at least made it interesting down the stretch.

Besiktas Intergral Forex joined Union Olimpija on a 4-1 record after gunning down Szolnoki Olaj 70-73 on the road. The Hungarian home team gave the Turkish outfit a good game, but another defeat consigns Olaj to the bottom of the group with a poor 1-4 record.

The visitors were in devastating mood during the opening exchanges and restricted Szolnoki at the perimeter, eventually claiming a substantial 7-20 lead at the first buzzer. The host responded well and won the next two quarters, claiming the second 21-17 and the third 24-16, enough to make it a one point game at the final split, 52-53. Besiktas regained form at the right time to outpace the Hungarians down the stretch and win the game.