A comeback that came too late in Belgrade

Published on October 16, 2026

The flashes of brilliance from our Parisian side, scattered throughout Friday evening, were not enough to see off Red Star Belgrade on Matchday 6 of the EuroLeague (81–90).

It’s not just a legend. Playing at the Belgrade Arena is like playing in the midst of a hostile cauldron, seething from the first to the last minute. This massive ‘sixth man’ is carrying Red Star right from the start of the match. As the EuroLeague’s best rebounding side, the home team impose their physicality right from the start through Chima Moneke. But our big men are quick to respond. Tyson opens the scoring for Paris from distance before the Léo-Allan partnership gets going near the basket. Having only just come on for his debut in the premier continental competition, Maozinha powerfully finishes an alley-oop set up by Joël. Held back by poor shooting from long range, Paris Basketball held their own thanks to the intense drives of their guards. Boasting a high number of free throws, Belgrade maintained a comfortable lead at the end of the first quarter (18-28). This time, the offensive slump affected both teams. After three minutes, only one attempt had found the net. For Paris, Captain’Seba broke the deadlock with a catch-and-shoot, as is his custom. Daulton and Tyson followed suit from the corner in this low-scoring quarter. Whilst our opponents went 0 for 7 from three-point range, Coach Lefèvre’s side regained the upper hand on the boards and closed the gap on the scoreboard. But once again, spurred on by Chima Moneke, the Serbs gave themselves some breathing space just before half-time (36-46).

Red Star struck first in this second quarter. Except that Paris wasted no time in setting the game alight from long range. It started quietly with Seba. Then, just as against Kaunas, ASVEL and Virtus, our number 9 suddenly caught fire from distance – at the top of the key, from the corner, or even just two steps from the logo. All these Tyson-style attempts, each one crazier than the last, went in. The problem was that the home side were simultaneously enjoying a strong spell. Allan tried to slow down this red wave with some massive work under the basket. At home, however, Belgrade proved unyielding, capping off the third quarter with a buzzer-beater from Chris Jones (58-77). Paris Basketball got off to a flying start in the final quarter! Seba from behind the arc, Alize in the paint and Tyson from mid-range forced the home side to stay focused right up until the final whistle. Our Parisians did indeed cut the deficit to below the symbolic 10-point mark. Following an and-one from Tyson coupled with a sublime lay-up, just two possessions separated the two capital sides as the game entered the closing stages (77-82). However, the attempted comeback came too late (81-90).

Unfortunately, Paris Basketball woke up too late at the Belgrade Arena. Facing a Serbian side that remained consistent throughout the match, our flashes of brilliance were no match for them.

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