London Lions vs Paris Basketball: The Ultimate Preview

'The Big Smoke vs The City of Lights'

London vs Paris: The Biggest Ever Cosmopolitan Showdown in European Basketball

For centuries, London has been embroiled in a cross-channel rivalry with Paris. From fashion, music, art, food, architecture and much more.

However, we have entered a new and exciting era of this rivalry as the London Lions take on Paris Basketball for the first time in the 7Days EuroCup’s 20-year history, the Biggest Ever Cosmopolitan Showdown in European Basketball in front of a sell-out capacity crowd, at Stratford’s prestigious Copper Box Arena.

The Lions have already set two massive records thus far this season. On October 18, 2022, London became the first British team in 18 years to win a home game in the EuroCup when they edged Trento 80-75. They then became the first British team to win an away game in the competition when they thumped Hamburg 103-73 on Tuesday, 22nd November 2022.

With both teams vying for a top-eight spot to qualify for the playoffs and hoping to draw first blood in this new cultural clash, battle of the capital cities, spectators should expect a game full of energy and passion.

Both teams were in the midst of their respective three-game win streaks before picking up losses in round 8. Paris travel to the UK’s capital with a 4-0 record on the road, while the Lions are 2-1 at home.

London Lions:

Sam Dekker

Currently averaging 16.2 points, Sam Dekker will enter the game, having scored at least 14 points in his last 5 EuroCup matches, racking up a PIR of at least 17 in these games. Dekker is ranked eighth in scoring among EuroCup players this season.

The talented combo forward posted several EuroCup career highs against Turk Telekom Ankara, including 20 points, 6 assists, and 5 offensive rebounds.

Kosta Koufos

Kosta Koufos is ranked ninth in Rebounds in the EuroCup this season, averaging 6.7 per game.

The Greek national team player is also ranked seventh in Offensive Rebounds among qualified EuroCup players this season, averaging 2.6 per game.

Paris Basketball:

Kyle Allman

Shooting guard Kyle Allman has scored at least 13 points in all his 8 EuroCup matches and will enter the Copper Box Arena, averaging 20.0 points per game, second in the competition.

Allman posted 5 Defensive Rebounds, a EuroCup career-high in Paris’ loss to Promitheas Patras on 14th December 2022.