Between Paris and Kaunas, Lithuania, there is a distance of 2,000 km and a 2.5 hour flight. This did not deter a large handful of green-clad Baltic fans from enjoying the charm of the City of Lights as they came to cheer on Zalgiris who, in Lithuania, are more than a club. It is an institution in a country where basketball is the number 1 sport above all others. Already winner of the Euroleague some time ago (1999), Zalgiris is the club of Arvidas Sabonis, one of the greatest players in history in every sense (2m21) and who was its president. One of his two sons, Tautvydas, is part of the coaching staff while the second, Domantas, plays in the NBA in Sacramento.
This is the daily life of Paris Basketball this season: inspiring clubs like no other. Before FC Barcelona in 48 hours in Catalonia and a month before the welcome of Real Madrid, the young Parisian could be impressed. There’s no way. Like all his opponents from the start, he looked the Lithuanians in the eye.
Balti taken from someone who knows the house well. Sylvain Francisco, at Zalgiris since this summer, shook Parisian basketball when he was born in 2018. He was there, wearing the new shirt, at the creation of the Parisian club. There weren’t many of them at the time. Fewer than the 8,000 people who still filled the Adidas Arena at the Porte de la Chapelle this autumn Wednesday. This Parisian basketball team wanted a solid and loyal fan base: it found it.
A still unbreathable last minute
With American pivot Kevarrius Hayes, who spent the last two years at Zalgiris, the Parisians were once again on par with a European giant. Behind a still well-mounted TJ Shorts, Paris arrived at the break with a 4-point lead (40-36). After having chased away in rapid succession the powerful European champions Panathinaikos (84-80), French champions Monaco (87-80), Berlin (92-83), Vitoria (67-65) and the formidable Partizan of Belgrade (74 -71) succession, Paris decided to win the sixth match. This is the total that was predicted for him at the end of the season, after 34 games and many even doubted that he would achieve it. “We approach the games in the right way and stay focused on what we have to do,” Bandja Sy said in the locker room after the match. Euroleague teams are not used to our style of play, which is not common. Nobody plays like us and we make the most of it. For the moment this smiles on us and obviously we look at the ranking but we remain focused to continue working. »
Not to mention this team which has been almost tireless at this moment despite already having 17 games in hand. With two awarded baskets arriving from who knows where, from Shorts and Hifi, the French vice-champion club started the last 10 minutes with another 6 points ahead (62-56). Under the eyes of double Olympic gold and judo bronze medalist Maxime-Gaël Ngayap Hambou, Paris gritted its teeth by increasing the gap to +13 (78-65, 37th). He dissolved (78-71, 38th) when Zalgiris realized that their third defeat in 6 games awaited them at the end of the evening.
As in every Euroleague match here for more than a year, the last minute was unbreathable. But once again, with a 3-point basket by Mikael Jantunen, Paris triumphed again. “Five consecutive wins for a rookie club is an incredible performance. It’s just crazy, smiles Yakuba Ouattara. We fight as a team, everyone is focused on defense. When there is no rotation, we lose nothing in intensity. We can do great things but we must not go too fast. »
Where will it stop? Next stop will be Barcelona this Friday. “We’re going there to try to win,” insists Bandja Sy. Paris is no longer afraid of anything.
Title: Bridging Cultures Through Basketball: An Interview with Sylvain Francisco and Time.news Editor
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, Sylvain! Thanks for joining us today. It’s not every day we have someone who has experienced both the Lithuanian and French basketball scenes. How does it feel to be at the center of such a vibrant basketball culture?
Sylvain Francisco (SF): Thank you for having me! It feels amazing. Basketball in Lithuania is almost more than a sport; it’s an institution. Zalgiris is revered there, especially because of legends like Arvydas Sabonis. Now, I’ve personally experienced the unique spirit of Paris Basketball, which is all about building a community and creating a passionate fan base.
TNE: You’ve played for Zalgiris and now represent Paris Basketball. How do you see the differences in fan engagement between the two clubs?
SF: That’s a great question! In Lithuania, the fans live and breathe basketball. When Zalgiris plays, the entire country rallies behind them. It’s electric! In Paris, the engagement is still developing. We’ve worked hard to create a solid fan base, and as we’ve started winning, especially against top-tier European teams, the excitement is growing tremendously. We want to create that same level of passion over time.
TNE: Last we checked, Paris Basketball was having quite a remarkable season, with exciting wins against big clubs. How do you, and the team, stay focused amidst the high expectations and strong competition?
SF: It’s all about mindset. Our mantra is to approach every game with the right balance of confidence and humility. We understand that every matchup is different, and Euroleague teams may not be used to our unique style of play. Staying focused on our strengths and executing our game plan allows us to keep surprise our opponents.
TNE: You mentioned ‘the right approach’ to games. Can you elaborate on what that entails for Paris Basketball?
SF: Absolutely. It means staying disciplined but also flexible. We work hard on our strategies but are ready to adapt mid-game if things aren’t going as planned. We emphasize teamwork and communication, which is crucial in high-pressure situations. The foundation we’re building is not just about winning games, but about developing a cohesive unit that feels like family.
TNE: Looking towards the future, what are your aspirations for both your personal career and for Paris Basketball?
SF: I aim to continue developing my game and contributing to my team’s success. Personally, being part of a project like Paris Basketball is exciting. I want to help elevate the team’s status in Europe and strengthen our connection with the fans. Ultimately, I hope we can bring home some silverware to solidify our place in basketball history.
TNE: It sounds like you have a clear vision! Before we close, is there any message you’d like to share with the fans, both in Paris and Lithuania?
SF: Absolutely! To the fans, thank you for your unwavering support, whether you’ve been with us since day one or just joined our journey. We’re committed to putting on a show every time we step onto the court, and together, we’ll build something special. Let’s make memories together!
TNE: Thank you again, Sylvain! Your insights into basketball culture truly paint a vibrant picture of the sport’s role in uniting people across borders. We wish you and Paris Basketball all the best for the remainder of the season!
SF: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure!