Ten months ago, at the end of a sublime French championship-Eurocup double, every supporter of Lyon Asvel Féminin began to dream of seeing Marine Johannès’ gang lift the prestigious Euroleague. Except that the seasons follow one another and are not the same in Asvel. Immediately undermined by a cascade of injuries (Gabby Williams, Sandrine Gruda, Laura Quevedo) and by Marine Johannès’ long summer in the WNBA, the Lyonnaises crashed in the European group stage with a disastrous record (5 wins and 9 defeats).
Even in LFB, the reigning French champions are far from meeting expectations, with a disappointing fifth place two days from the end (11 wins and 9 losses). Which means that David Gautier’s players, who we have known since January 5 will not be extended by his leaders, should not even have home field advantage during the perilous first round of the play-offs which will take place. announcement against Montpellier.
No play-offs for Fauthoux, Allemand and Williams
Asvel has just lost its two leaders, since Marine Fauthoux is out until the end of the season (back), just like Julie Allemand, who injured her ankle during the last rout (70-59) in Saint-Amand (11th). And to top it all off, we learn that the future will be written next season without the two stars of the France team, Gabby Williams and Marine Johannès. At the end of their contract this summer, the two best scorers in Lyon (19.9 points and 15.8 points on average in the league) will in fact not be extended, as Tony Parker has just made official.
In an interview published this Thursday by The Team, the president of Asvel justifies himself on this subject: “There will be a big reduction in the budget. Skweek’s difficulties [la plateforme de diffusion de basket du groupe Fedcom et sponsor essentiel du club] explain this. This is why we will not be able to keep either Gabby or Marine.” After the recent death of her father, Gabby Williams obtained the agreement of Asvel to leave Lyon prematurely, and therefore not to return there. The 2024 play-offs will therefore be written without her, and it is difficult to see how Lyon Asvel Féminin could avoid a difficult end to the season, without the slightest title at the end.