It was another tough night for the Roca Team on Tuesday 5th May as they fell to Olympiacos in a 105-82 loss at home, marking an end to their EuroLeague season. In this do-or-die matchup, Monaco had to show up ready to perform – but without Daniel Theis and Alpha Diallo available due to injury, the fatigued team was reduced to a roster of only eight players.

Monaco started the game strong with a 7-0 run before Olympiacos could finally respond with a three-point shot, foreshadowing the night ahead. The team showed up with high intensity and aggressive defense. Despite struggling a bit beyond the arc, it appeared that Monaco had rediscovered their shot and was finding more success than in their first two matchups.

The energy in the arena was powerful, as many Olympiacos fans traveled to support their side and made themselves heard. But Monaco’s fans responded with equal enthusiasm, lighting up the atmosphere from the moment the team stepped onto the court.

With just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter, fatigue appeared to be catching up to the Roca Team as energy began to fade and mistakes were being made, allowing Olympiacos to take their first lead of the game and pull away.

The second quarter further emphasised these struggles, as Monaco’s efforts made little ground against an Olympiacos team that played at a pace far quicker than Monaco could keep up with. Although the Roca Team found their momentum again briefly, this short-lived effort ended with a turnover and points for Olympiacos, allowing the Greek side to enter halftime with a 61-40 lead.

The second half of the game only continued to reinforce the damage done by Olympiacos. Not only was the team’s energy fading, but it was felt across the arena as cheers softened and hope began to disappear. A strong start to the final quarter reignited a brief moment of hope as Monaco reduced the deficit to just 12 points. However, Monaco was unable to sustain this momentum. With just over five minutes remaining in the game, Matthew Strazel suffered an injury, reducing their already small roster even further.

Although Monaco’s EuroLeague season has now come to an end, the Roca Team still has national competition ahead and another championship to fight for. After overcoming injuries, roster limitations, and a demanding playoff run, reaching this level of competition was still an achievement for the club.

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Featured Photo credit: Stéphane Danna / Monaco Info