

Chorale Roanne claimed the France Super Cup with a gritty 73-71 victory over Lyon-Villeurbanne on September 19, 2026, upsetting the heavily fancied ASVEL side in a defensive battle that went down to the final possession.
Roanne's disciplined half-court defense and timely fourth-quarter shot-making delivered a trophy that few neutrals would have predicted before tip-off.
Match Overview
The first quarter was a cagey affair, with both teams struggling to find rhythm against committed defenses. Villeurbanne edged the opening period by a single point, but Roanne's response in the second quarter — a 20-17 stretch — handed them a two-point halftime lead.
- Quarter scores: 18-19, 20-17, 15-20, 20-15
- Final: Chorale Roanne 73, Lyon-Villeurbanne 71
- Competition: France Super Cup
ASVEL appeared to take control in the third quarter, outscoring Roanne 20-15 to lead by three heading into the last ten minutes. What followed was a masterclass in late-game composure from the underdogs.
Key Moments
Trailing by three entering the fourth, Roanne opened the final period with a 9-2 run, capped by a transition dunk that brought the crowd to its feet. From there, the game became a defensive slugfest, with neither side scoring for nearly three minutes.
The winning play arrived in the final 20 seconds. With the score level at 71-71, Roanne ran a high screen, drew the switch and attacked the rim, finishing through contact for the go-ahead basket. Villeurbanne's last-second three-point attempt was well contested and fell short.
Tactical Story
Roanne's game plan was clear from the opening tip: slow the tempo, force Villeurbanne into long possessions and limit transition opportunities. They packed the paint, dared ASVEL to shoot from the perimeter and rotated hard to contest every kick-out pass.
Villeurbanne's size advantage inside was neutralized by Roanne's frontcourt physicality and help defense. On offense, Roanne leaned on patient ball movement, generating open looks late in the shot clock and converting enough of them to stay in front. In a game with only 73 points scored, every defensive possession mattered — and Roanne won more of them.
Standout Players
- Roanne's perimeter defenders: Set the tone with relentless on-ball pressure.
- Roanne's closer: Delivered the decisive drive and finish in the final seconds.
- Villeurbanne's interior: Kept ASVEL in front for three quarters with efficient post scoring.
Season Impact
Winning the France Super Cup gives Roanne a significant early-season confidence boost and a tangible trophy to show for their preparation. For Villeurbanne, the defeat is a reminder that in French basketball, reputation counts for nothing once the ball goes up.
Both clubs now turn their attention to league play, with Roanne eager to carry this momentum into the regular season and ASVEL determined to respond quickly.