LDLC ASVEL kicked off their pre-season schedule with a hard-fought 77-69 victory over PAOK Metoco in an exciting match enjoyed by 3,000 fans. The game marked the first pre-season friendly involving a EuroLeague team and provided both sides with valuable preparation for the upcoming season.
🏀 A Tight Contest from Start to Finish
The match was competitive from the beginning, with both teams trading baskets. PAOK kept the score incredibly close, trailing by just one point at halftime with the score at 36-35. ASVEL managed to create some distance in the third quarter, ending it with a 59-52 lead, but PAOK continued to challenge them right until the final minutes.
⭐ Key Players Shine on Both Sides
For ASVEL, Glyn Watson led the scoring with 14 points, while big man Bastien Vautier contributed a solid 12 points. On the other side, PAOK’s Ben Moore had an outstanding performance, scoring a game-high 22 points. He kept his team in the fight, even cutting the deficit to just three points (72-69) late in the game before he fouled out with under two minutes remaining.
📋 Early Season Experiments and Future Plans
This pre-season game was a great opportunity for ASVEL’s coach, Pierric Poupet, to test different player combinations and give playing time to his entire squad. Meanwhile, PAOK showed great spirit and resilience. Their strong performance is a positive sign as they prepare for the upcoming Basketball Champions League qualifiers.
