Paris Basketball defeated Evan Fournier’s Olympiakos in Athens this Friday, during the 14th day of the Euroleague. Tenth victory in a row for the Parisian leader.
It’s crazy. We no longer have the words. Paris Basketball won on the Olympiakos floor this Friday, in Athens (90-96), during the 14th day of the Euroleague. And this despite a 22-0 for Evan Fournier (25 pts), Sasha Vezenkov (18 pts) and company in the fourth quarter. Tenth victory in a row for Tiago Splitter’s men, new to the premier competition and who never cease to surprise. 21 points for TJ Shorts, who honored his title of November MVP, and 20 for Nadir Hifi. Exceptional. With a record of 11 victories and 3 defeats, the Parisians sit alone at the top of the ranking ahead of Fenerbahçe (10 victories, 4 defeats) and a trio led by Monaco (9 victories, 5 defeats), clear winner of Alba Berlin (100-80), earlier in the evening. Olympiakos and Bayern tied with ASM.
Paris survived its 19 turnovers with, in particular, its 15 offensive rebounds. And of course the talent of the back line, Shorts in the lead. “It’s another big victory. In such an environment, the fans, the rosters they have… Everyone has raised their level. Even when it was hard at the end, we stayed together and we managed to prevail», savors the American leader, on Succeed. From his height of 75 meters, many doubted his abilities to shine in the Euroleague. “I hope they are watching. They will continue to doubt but I don’t listen to that noise. “I’m focusing on myself, my family, I’m just going to keep pushing, moving forward and proving them wrong,” he slips.
TJ Shorts? Forget his size, he’s a giant
Tiago Splitter, Paris Basketball coach
Tiago Splitter does not need to be convinced. “Forget his size, he’s a giant. He’s the leader of this team. He guides the group. He is never afraid. A hell of a player», greets the Brazilian coach, starting as number 1 on a bench after several experiences as an assistant. “Ten victories in a row? It’s special, that’s for sure… The team has been extraordinary, they’ve stayed together, they’re humble, they have no ego. They fight in every match like it’s their last. I’m proud of them,” he savors. And to add on the keys to this frantic pace and this intensity: “First, you have to work in training, the players get used to it and we always try to do better. We have a lot of explosive players, maybe a little smaller, but they can play at a high pace and have a lot of unselfishness.”
-The presence of Hayes near the circle, Shorts in his works, enormous defensive pressure… Ideal start to the match for the visitors (0-4, 3-7), who took off after gains from Hifi and Sy (5-13). Time out for Olympiakos, who were moving up in terms of defensive pressure, and Fournier equalized on a four-point action (13-13). 9 points for the French detonator from Piraeus in the first quarter, 8 for Vezenkov, who took over. But Paris held on (21-21, end of 1st QT) and Olympiakos had no answer to Shorts (21-25, 23-30). The only downside for the pocket leader so far are his two faults. Olympiakos’ hyper-aggressive defense derailed Paris, which increased its turnovers (31-32). The locals, however, were unable to take the lead, with ammunition wasted near the circle (31-36). Dorsey made his class talk (36-36), but Paris started again with a vengeance (41-49). We’re no longer surprised, but it’s crazy. The Olympiakos staff on edge. The tense room (44-49 MT).
The Greek public and the staff had reason to be happy. Connected to 220 volts, the Parisians started off even stronger in the second period, like dogs, starving, never giving up, always pushing (47-62, then 49-65). Symbol ? Ward, a warrior. “Put the Eiffel Tower on the port of Piraeus», exclaimed Ali Traoré, on Succeed. It’s hard not to get excited… Except that at the poorly named Peace and Friendship Stadium, each “run” of the locals turns into a hurricane (54-65). Hifi to calm the boiling Greek public by going to scratch two throws (54-67). However, the referees did not give them easily to the Parisian rookies… Vezenkov, for his part, was more favored by the referees, who were still obliged to give an unsportsmanlike pass to McKissic (58-70). And Ouattara in the corner (58-73, then 60-73 at the end of the 3rd QT).
A terrible 22-0, but…
Almost two minutes of play in the fourth quarter before the first points, a winning shot from Ward (60-76). Missed by Olympiakos, the glance of Shorts, Ward at the finish (60-78). Olympiakos timeout. But still Paris to increase the gap (60-80). Mind-blowing. Fournier to stop the bleeding (63-80), and launch the Greek furia. Paris lost. Lost balloons cascading again. The room on fire. The start of a 20-0 (80-80).
Another lost ball and Williams-Goss throws to give Olympiakos its first advantage… of the match (82-80). At long distance, Hifi put an end to this terrible series, this black hole (82-83). Shorts imitated him (82-86). Air. Vezenkov serene on throws (84-86). Williams-Goss in speed (86-86). Last minute. Shorts’ missed floater. Rebound snatched by Lo and the killer shot, three points (86-89). “Cojones time” for the German world champion, author of eight points. 20 seconds to play. Quick foul on Fournier (87-89). Easy basket from Jantunen in stride (87-91) and the big, huge shot from the exceptional Fournier (90-91). Lo on throws (90-93). Still 5”7 to go. And Fournier’s loss of the ball, with Hifi’s basket as the highlight of the show (90-96 final score). Crazy victory for a team that is no less crazy. A real feat against a Euroleague powerhouse, certainly deprived of its pivots Wright and Fall, but a feat nonetheless. One more.
