AS Monaco Basket’s future in the EuroLeague’s Final Four is hanging in the balance following a crushing defeat at the hands of Fenerbahçe in Istanbul.
The Roca Team is in a tough position. After three games against the Turkish side, two at home in the Principality and the third on Fenerbahçe’s turf at the Ulker Sports Arena, the Monegasques are 2-1 down.
Game 3 in the playoffs took place on Wednday 1st May, and ended with a final score of 89-78.
This was a high-stakes game for both sides, given their one win apiece in the Salle Gaston Médecin last week, and all 14,000 seats were taken as the two teams took to the court.
Unfortunately, the bad luck for the Roca Team started early on in the game, when John Brown III had to be sidelined due to an injury.
“I don’t know if we would have won with him, but we would have defended better, especially in the small ball,” commented Roca Team’s coach Sasa Obradovic following the game.
The Monaco side did enjoy some high points, such as when Donatas Motiejunas and Alpha Diallo brought the scores back to within a single point, adding extra fuel to the game. Diallo alone scored an impressive 23 points, but it was not enough to overcome the aggressive play of Fenerbahçe.
Mam Jaiteh, Roca Team’s pivot, said, “Losing Game 3, it’s very frustrating, but there are also positives to take away for the future. We lacked concentration, but despite that, we had a lot of chances to get back into the game.”
Game 4 now looms and the Rouges et Blancs face an uphill battle if they are to keep their EuroLeague aspirations alive.
Fenerbahçe, meanwhile, will be keen to close out the series with a second success on their home court.
As the pressure mounts, both teams prepare for another intense showdown where everything is on the line.
The next game will take place on 3rd May.
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Photo credit: AS Monaco Basket