By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne pulled off a tight EuroLeague win on the road against Paris on Wednesday, opening Round 4 of the 2026–27 EuroLeague Regular Season. Playing through a loud, unfriendly crowd at Adidas Arena, the fans didn’t hesitate to poke fun at the visitors’ offseason transfer drama. Early in the game, the home supporters unfurled a banner mocking the team’s failed summer signing with the phrase: ‘Where is Sylvain?’
The sign targeted French point guard Sylvain Francisco, who parted ways with ASVEL during the offseason, before playing a single official minute. Instead of letting the jab get to him, head coach Tony Parker smiled it off after the final buzzer.
“I didn’t even see it,” he mentioned during the postgame press conference. “It’s great, it’s part of the game, but my motivation isn’t that banner, it’s the big picture, it’s that French basketball is moving forward. That’s all behind me now. I was so happy to see Sylvain in Athens. We talked for 30 minutes. Everything’s fine. I wish him all the best.”
The 44-year-old tactician, a four-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs as a player, also discussed a domestic rivalry rapidly taking shape between his side and the team based in the French capital. “It’s what fans want to see. I think we didn’t disappoint them tonight,” he said.
The narrow win brought ASVEL’s record to 2-2 while leaving Paris at 1-3. Parker’s squad now returns home to the Astroballe for a Round 5 matchup against Serbian club Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet.
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