May 23, 2013
French League Final: June 20, 2009
Asvel Basket champ French League 2008-09 (photo: asvel.com)A rare single-game final for a national championship has returned Asvel Basket to its historic spot atop the French League after six years of absence. Asvel used a defensive show of force to stop Orleans 55-41 at the neutral venue of Palais Omnisports Paris-Bercy in Paris. The victory gave Asvel its 17th national title, more than any other club in France, but its first since 2002. An incredible 19-0 run in the second quarter turned the game around and set Asvel's defensive tone for the rest of its triumphant performance. Amara Sy, the only double-digit scorer for the winners, with 10 points, was named MVP. Sy also pulled 8 rebounds and dished 3 assists. Three teammates followed him with 8 points each: Ali Traore, who also had 8 rebounds, Eric Campbell and Nebojsa Bogavac. For Orleans, making its first-ever title-game appearance, Cedrick Banks had 13 points and Aldo Curti 8. Asvel became the sixth different champion since the French League went to a one-game final format six years ago, meaning no club has been able to win the title twice in that span.

Amara Sy - Asvel BasketNothing in the early part of the game indicated that Asvel would be able to shut down Orleans almost completely the rest of the way. Orleans followed Banks to a 13-17 lead after one quarter and then used a three-.pointer to open the second ahead by 13-20. Then and there, the game changed for good as Asvel embarked on a game-deciding 19-0 run before a foul shot just before halftime ended the nightmare for Orleans. Still, an experienced Asvel team had a 34-21 lead it its command and did not squander it after the break. Orleans tried to come back, but was hurt by its own bad shooting, 24% from the field and a poor 8-for-20, or 40%, at the foul line. After scoring only 4 points in the second quarter, Orleans was vicitimized again by Asvel's defense in the fourth, making only 7 points to avoid any notion of a comeback. An historic champion, Asvel, was back where it belonged in France, while a young upstart learned a lesson about one-game finals.


Final Playoffs, Single-game Final in Palais Omnisports Paris-Bercy
Record Team Game 1
1 Asvel Basket (1) 55
0 Orléans (2) 41
French League Champion 2008-09: Asvel Basket

Final Playoffs round game
Game 1 Asvel Basket vs. Orléans 55-41 June 20

Saturday, June 20, 2009
Euroleague.net
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