The London Lions will host Zalgiris Kaunas and Paris Basketball within the inaugural London Lions Invitational on the Copper Field Area on September 10–11, giving the Lithuanian and French golf equipment a preseason assembly within the English capital.
The Lions introduced Monday that 4 groups will take part within the match, with London going through Slask Wroclaw at 5:30 p.m. on September 10 earlier than Zalgiris performs Paris at 8:30 p.m. The third-place recreation and ultimate will happen the next day at 5:30 p.m. and eight:30 p.m., respectively.
The occasion provides Zalgiris and Paris one other assembly after they completed the 2025-26 EuroLeague common season in very totally different positions. Zalgiris went 23-15 to complete fifth, whereas Paris posted a 15-23 report and completed sixteenth.
The 2 golf equipment additionally met twice through the EuroLeague common season, splitting the 2 video games with Zalgiris winning the final matchup 85-79 in Kaunas on April 17. The victory secured fifth place for Zalgiris and ended Paris’ European season.
Zalgiris enters the match with a considerably reshaped roster. The membership added Saben Lee, introduced again Marek Blazevic advert Marius Grigonis, whereas including Carsen Edwards, Sterling Brown, Jonas Valanciunas and Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, whereas additionally signing Maxwell Lewis and Keenan Evans.
The Lions have a direct connection to 2 of these Zalgiris gamers. Lewis and Evans will spend the 2026-27 season on mortgage with London, that means the September match might present an early alternative for the pair to face their guardian membership.
Zalgiris lost Sylvain Francisco, who led the crew at 16.5 factors and 6.5 assists per recreation in 42 EuroLeague appearances final season, and Moses Wright, who averaged 13.2 factors and 6.5 rebounds. Azuolas Tubelis contributed 12.1 factors and 4.5 rebounds.
Paris can be getting into the preseason with a new-look roster. Nadir Hifi, who averaged 18.9 factors and three.8 assists in 37 EuroLeague video games final season, returns as one of many crew’s principal perimeter scorers, whereas the membership has added Terry Tarpey, TJ Warren, Tyson Etienne, Maozinha Pereira and Alize Johnson.
The London occasion additionally revives a latest connection between the Lions and each visiting golf equipment. London beforehand hosted Zalgiris in a sold-out preseason recreation, whereas Paris eradicated the Lions within the 2024 EuroCup semifinals earlier than profitable the competitors.
