AS Monaco’s EuroLeague journey has come to an end, as they were decisively defeated 3-0 by Olympiacos. The Monegasque team faced significant challenges, entering the game severely weakened. Key players Nikola Mirotic (calf), Daniel Theis (finger), and Alpha Diallo (adductors) were unavailable, leaving only eight players to compete in what was a near-impossible task.
The first half saw Monaco overwhelmed by a formidable Olympiacos squad. Evan Fournier was the top scorer for the Greek team with 19 points. Olympiacos displayed exceptional three-point shooting, hitting 18 out of 33 attempts, a remarkable 54.5% success rate.
Despite the playoff exit, Monaco’s “Roca Team” will now shift their focus to the Betclic Elite playoffs. With three trophies already secured this season – the Leaders Cup, French Cup, and Super Cup – they still have the potential to achieve a unique quadruple. The team’s future, including potential new investors, EuroLeague participation with or without an A-License, and roster composition, remains to be seen in the coming months.
Olympiacos Dominates from the Start
Monaco began the game strongly, taking an early 10-3 lead, spearheaded by Mike James. However, Olympiacos quickly found their rhythm, playing with speed and excellent ball movement. Thomas Walkup matched Mike James’s three-point prowess, making 4 of 5 attempts in the first quarter. The score reached 15-20, and by the end of the first quarter, Olympiacos led 17-26, despite a less efficient performance from Sasha Vezenkov.
The second wave of Olympiacos players, including Evan Fournier, who scored 11 points in under 8 minutes with excellent three-point shooting, maintained the pressure. Monaco found themselves in a difficult position at 20-38 by the 13th minute. The Piraeus team seemed determined to finish the series quickly, continuing their bombardment from beyond the arc. Their supporters in the stands were ecstatic as Olympiacos extended their lead to over twenty points at 31-52. After a brief 7-0 run by Monaco, Olympiacos responded with another surge, ending the first half with a commanding 40-61 lead, having set a club record with 13 three-pointers in a single half.
Olympiacos coach Georgios Bartzokas had utilized all 12 of his available players, while Monaco was missing several key players.
The intensity of the first half subsided somewhat in the second. The score difference remained around twenty points, with Olympiacos maintaining focus and continuing their offensive display, notably from Evan Fournier. Monaco showed resilience, winning the third quarter 24-21.
The “Roca Team” managed to close the gap to 12 points (70-82) in a late surge against a more relaxed Olympiacos. Unfortunately, Matthew Strazel sustained a back injury, and Monaco’s final offensive efforts were labored, including a missed layup by Elie Okobo.