Lyon-Asvel champion of France for the second time

Four years later, Asvel returns to the throne of the Women’s Basketball League. Already crowned in 2019, the teammates of Marine Johannès and Sandrine Gruda were crowned, Monday, May 22, champions of France by overcoming Villeneuve d’Ascq (74-68) in match 3 of the finals. This is the second title for the Lyonnaises, led by a huge Gruda (18 points).

At home, at the Astroballe stadium, David Gautier’s players negotiated the end of the match well against the MVP of the season, Kennedy Burke (15 points), and thus offered themselves an unprecedented double with the Eurocup, won a little over a month ago. The consecration finally for the club of Tony Parker which was chasing a new national title. In the meantime, failures had multiplied, such as the Coupe de France final lost against Basket Landes last month or the Women’s League final won by Bourges last year.

The recruitment of Blues captain Sandrine Gruda in the off-season was inspired: “We have a lot of experienced players, they came to win and we did it.”, greeted “TP” at the microphone of Sport in France. Soon to be 36, next month, the Tokyo bronze medalist signed a double double (18 points 10 rebounds) on Monday. More than that, she tipped the meeting in the decisive moments. “It was hard, you have no idea”, blew the huge interior (1.97 m). “It’s beautiful, I came for that, to win titles.”

“We’ve been waiting for it for a few years”

In support of Gruda, between Julie Allemand and Marine Johannès (3/6 at three points and 3/8 on Monday), Asvel has two highnesses of the address, who left the floor with 11 and 16 points. “I was from the beginning of the history of Asvel, it’s nice to go and win this title a second time, savored the Belgian Julie Allemand. We had been waiting for it for a few years. We knew it was going to take time to create our identity.” Marine Johannès, whose participation in the next Eurobasket (June 15-25) remains uncertain due to a possible express round trip to the WNBA, appeared very moved. “I’ll talk about that later”she eluded. “There, I want to enjoy!”