LYON (France) - It is perhaps with a sense of irony, alongside absolute joy that LDLC ASVEL Feminin will raise EuroCup Women silverware if they finish the job against Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring.

Ahead by an arguably unassailable 39 points after their sublime masterclass in the first leg at home last week, even the most passionate Galatasaray fan would struggle to argue that it looks like mission impossible and ASVEL will be crowned champions.

"WE HAD A SPEECH FROM TONY [PARKER] WHICH REALLY MOTIVATED EVERYONE FOR THIS GOAL." - Marine Johannes

The celebrations will be well deserved if they occur, although the rise to the top podium step has not come without some bumps in the road during these past seasons.

The desire to become one of the continent's top clubs was always going to mean some growing pains along the way, something that club President, Tony Parker will have no doubt been ready for - although maybe there were one or two more than anticipated. 

Coaching changes and some regular disappointments have peppered the journey, but star guard Marine Johannes is grateful to be in a prime position to now deliver.

She said: "It's quite huge for the club. At the start of the season, we had a speech from Tony [Parker] which really motivated everyone for this goal.

"We had difficulties in the past years, it wasn’t always easy for the players, but also for the whole club. So to live all that, it's really crazy."

"WE HAVE ONE HAND ON A FIRST EUROPEAN TITLE, SO NOW WE HAVE TO GRAB IT WITH BOTH HANDS." - David Gautier

That viewpoint is one shared by head coach, David Gautier, acutely aware of what this week means to ASVEL.

He stated: "We have one hand on a first European title, so now we have to grab it with both hands. The club has been looking for a new trophy for three years.

"A lot of investment has been made for this and the club has not always been rewarded. I hope that we will bring back this first European title - the first title for three years."

It was all smiles for ASVEL after a phenomenal first leg win on home soil against Galatasaray

If successful, it would be rich reward for both their eye-catching form and an attractive brand of basketball which has won an army of new admirers. Of course, if you are going to play entertaining basketball, then who better than Marine Johannes to be the centerpiece of this? 

The French guard was sensational in that first meeting with Galatasaray but as incredible as it was, is sensible enough to guard against the slightest chance of any complacency. 

She said: "It was a crazy game. We wanted to win for sure, but we didn't expect this gap and the game level we played - it was really a great team victory and everyone contributed at all levels. 

"We must continue like this, but we shouldn't think that it's over. It's going to be a big game there [in Istanbul] with a whole crowd against us - another atmosphere. But it will be a great event and a great game to play in."

Perhaps most intriguingly of all, ASVEL stand on the verge of making EuroCup Women and club history, but it's arguably EuroLeague Women where their true desire lies. 

All in good time of course, because first, it's all about confirming 'Mission Complete' in Istanbul.

FIBA