The Lyon women’s team have become French champions! After an incredible series of five matches against Lattes Montpellier, the Lyon ASVEL women’s team won the first French LFB title in their history.
After a solid, consistent season, Lyon won the right to host matches 1, 2 and 5 at home in the LFB finals. The advantage of being on their home ground was never more crucial than in this series. After two home wins, the Lyon Lions lost two matches in Lattes last week. Everything was down to the fifth decisive match with the crucial support of the home crowd at Mado Bonnet.
The Lions led from the first minutes. Well paced, and with some strong defending, the Lyon women led 24 – 16 after 10 minutes, helped by Alysha CLARK, who stood out this Thursday evening. Paoline SALAGNAC and Clarissa DOS SANTOS – had a smaller role but were certainly present in this fifth match – offering a lead of 10 points to the Lions. With an advantage of +12 at the start of the second half, the Lyon women behaved as you would expect from the leaders managing perfectly the rest of the contest. There was no panicking, even when Lattes Montpellier got back to with Helena CIAK scoring. The Lions remained solid as a team and defended with vigour as they have done throughout this incredible season. As their captain, Paoline SALAGNAC declared at the press conference, “Destiny was with us here in this hall.” Encouraged by the lively spectators, the Lions obtained their first LFB title. A perfect conclusion to the 2018-2019 season that will be forever remembered…
