Published on October 1, 2025 at 08:00 PM by driblio.net
Date
2025-10-01
Venue
Round
Round 1
Attendance
4671
Valencia Basket opened their EuroLeague campaign with a thrilling 80-77 victory over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in front of 4,671 spectators in Lyon. The Spanish side demonstrated resilience and depth in a tightly contested Round 1 encounter that saw the lead change hands multiple times throughout the forty minutes of action.
The game remained competitive from the opening tip, with neither team able to establish a commanding advantage. Valencia edged the first quarter 19-18, while ASVEL responded in the second period, outscoring their visitors 17-15 to take a slender one-point lead into halftime. The third quarter saw both teams locked in an offensive stalemate, each posting 26 points, before Valencia's superior fourth-quarter execution proved decisive.
The standout performer for Valencia Basket was Omari Moore, who delivered an all-around masterclass with a game-high efficiency rating of 23. The American guard recorded an impressive double-double performance, contributing 12 points and 8 rebounds while dishing out a team-high 10 assists. Moore's ability to facilitate the offense and create opportunities for his teammates was instrumental in Valencia's success, as he played over 27 minutes and finished with a plus-minus of +11, the highest among Valencia's starters.
Moore's court vision and basketball intelligence were on full display as he consistently found open teammates and made the right play at crucial moments. His three three-pointers from six attempts showcased his scoring versatility, while his three trips to the free-throw line, converting three of four attempts, demonstrated his ability to attack the basket and draw fouls. With just two turnovers against his ten assists, Moore took excellent care of the basketball in what was a physical, tightly contested game.
Darius Thompson provided crucial scoring punch off the bench for Valencia, finishing with 15 points on efficient 5-of-10 shooting from the field. The Italian guard made his presence felt in 22 minutes of action, connecting on 2-of-4 from beyond the arc and a perfect 3-of-3 from the charity stripe. Thompson's efficiency rating of 13 and plus-minus of +4 underscored his positive impact during his time on the court. He also contributed 3 assists and added a block on the defensive end, showcasing his two-way capabilities.
Nathan Reuvers gave Valencia quality minutes in the starting lineup, scoring 13 points while grabbing 6 defensive rebounds. The Hungarian big man was particularly effective from long range, knocking down 3-of-6 three-point attempts, and drew six fouls, converting four of six free throws. His ability to stretch the floor and create spacing was valuable for Valencia's offensive system.
Matthew Costello provided a significant boost from the bench with an outstanding performance in the paint. The Ivorian center dominated the glass with 10 rebounds, including 4 offensive boards, while scoring 13 points on efficient 5-of-8 shooting. His efficiency rating of 18 was second only to Moore among Valencia players, and his plus-minus of +5 indicated his positive contribution during his 17 minutes on the floor.
LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne received a strong performance from veteran guard Nando de Colo, who led all scorers with 17 points while adding 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals. The French international shot efficiently, converting all three of his two-point attempts and knocking down 3-of-8 from three-point range. De Colo's efficiency rating of 22 was the highest among ASVEL players, though his minus-9 rating reflected the team's struggles when he was on the court during crucial stretches.
Glynn Watson came off the bench to provide a spark for the home side, scoring 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting. Watson's plus-6 rating was the best among ASVEL's rotation players, suggesting his minutes were among the most productive for the French club. He also pulled down 2 rebounds and drew three fouls, getting to the free-throw line where he converted 3-of-4 attempts.
Bastien Vautier was efficient in his starting role, scoring 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting from inside the arc. The French big man added 4 rebounds and drew three fouls, though he struggled at the free-throw line, making just 4-of-6 attempts. His plus-10 rating indicated ASVEL performed well during his minutes on the floor.
One of the key differences in this closely contested matchup was the production from both benches. Valencia's reserves combined for 45 points, with Thompson, Costello, and Jaime Pradilla all making significant contributions. Pradilla, in particular, provided excellent energy with 6 rebounds and 2 blocks while maintaining a plus-7 rating in over 22 minutes of play.
ASVEL's bench contributed 32 points, with Watson and Zachary Seljaas leading the way. Seljaas finished with 9 points and a game-high 9 defensive rebounds, playing nearly 27 minutes with a plus-16 rating that stood as the best mark for either team. His three three-pointers kept ASVEL in contention during critical moments.
The game was characterized by physical defense and aggressive play from both sides. Valencia attempted 30 free throws compared to ASVEL's 20, with the visitors converting 20 of their attempts. This seven-point advantage at the charity stripe ultimately proved to be the difference in a three-point game. Valencia's ability to attack the basket and draw fouls, particularly through Reuvers who drew six fouls, kept ASVEL's defense on its heels.
The home side struggled with foul trouble throughout the contest, with several key players picking up multiple fouls that limited their effectiveness and rotation flexibility. Bodian Massa fouled out with four personal fouls in just 12 minutes of action, while Mbaye Ndiaye also accumulated four fouls for ASVEL.
The three-point shooting contest was relatively even, though both teams struggled with consistency from beyond the arc. Valencia connected on 12 three-pointers, with contributions spread across the roster. Moore, Reuvers, Thompson, and Costello all knocked down multiple triples for the visitors.
ASVEL managed 8 three-pointers, with de Colo and Seljaas each hitting three from long range. However, several ASVEL players struggled with their outside shooting, including Melvin Ajinca, who finished 0-of-2 from three-point range as part of a difficult 1-of-7 shooting night overall.
The decisive fourth quarter saw Valencia outscore ASVEL 20-16 to secure the victory. Valencia's composure in the closing minutes, combined with better execution on both ends of the floor, allowed them to withstand ASVEL's home-court pressure. The visitors' ability to convert critical free throws and get key stops when needed proved to be the difference in a game that could have gone either way.
ASVEL struggled to find consistent scoring in the final period, with their offense becoming stagnant at times. The home side's inability to capitalize on possessions and convert defensive stops into points allowed Valencia to maintain control despite the narrow margin.
This opening-round victory gives Valencia Basket valuable momentum as they begin their EuroLeague campaign. The balanced scoring attack and strong bench production will be encouraging signs for the Spanish club as the season progresses. The team's ability to win on the road in a hostile environment demonstrates the mental toughness that will be necessary for success in Europe's premier competition.
For LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, the narrow defeat will be frustrating given their strong showing at home. The French club demonstrated they can compete with quality opposition but will need to improve their execution in crucial moments and find more consistent offensive production beyond de Colo. The early-season loss provides valuable lessons about the fine margins that separate victory from defeat at this level of competition.
| Rank | Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NANDO DE COLO | ASV | 17 | 3 | 4 |
| 2 | DARIUS THOMPSON | VBC | 15 | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | GLYNN WATSON | ASV | 14 | 2 | 1 |
| 4 | NATHAN REUVERS | VBC | 13 | 6 | 0 |
| 5 | MATTHEW COSTELLO | VBC | 13 | 10 | 1 |
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