Thanks in particular to an impeccable Nando de Colo, Asvel overthrew Efes Istanbul (82-76) on Friday during the 20th day of the Euroleague and are relaunching in the continental competition after two defeats. After Monaco and Paris, Villeurbanne completed the series of French victories in Türkiye, and recorded a ninth victory this season, for eleven losses. This success above all allows Théo Maledon’s teammates (15 points, 2 assists) to come within a reasonable distance, provisionally within one victory, of the 10th and final qualifying place for the play-ins.
Caught in the second quarter by Vincent Poirier (14 points, 2 assists, 2 blocks) and his team after leading by nine points, the Villeurbannais even let their evening opponent go ahead at the break (41-38). The Istanbulites were even seen taking off. It was without counting on Nando de Colo (16 pts, including 4/4 from three points), who got his team back on track at the start of the last quarter (66-64). Maledon then managed to come back level (68-68), before the balance of power was reversed.
Asvel went in front, and then offered itself a small cushion of five points thanks to Tarik Black who finished the match at 15 points and Nando de Colo, again. Asvel will now tackle a series of three home matches in ten days, against Partizan Belgrade, Berlin and Barcelona.
