Joker grilled: Monaco sank Thursday on the floor of Maccabi Tel-Aviv (104-69) and will play their qualification for the Final Four of the Euroleague next Wednesday on the Rock in a fifth and final match of their series of quarter-finals against the Israeli club. Despite this setback, the heaviest of its season, nothing is yet lost for ASM, which had regained the advantage of the field two days earlier with a resounding victory (83-78) in the Menora Mivtachim Arena, again become an impregnable fortress on Thursday.
The Roca Team was only the third team of the European season on Tuesday to leave this floor as the winner, and the second round in Israel on Thursday evening was a reminder of why. “Outside, I like to start strong so that the hostile public does not ignite,” explained Mike James in the locker room on Tuesday. This time, after a first quarter during which Sasa Obradovic’s men contained their hosts (24-17), his exit disrupted the Monaco machine.
helpless face
Two Maccabi shots from behind the line set the yellow arena on fire and the star’s return to 18 points in the first half on Tuesday wasn’t enough to extinguish it. ASM went 20-0 fueled by five 3-pointers, including three from Lorenzo Brown. A half of the quarter without scoring for the Roca Team, who felt the weight of the boos bouncing the ball out of the circle but also the weight of history. Starting with that of Maccabi’s six European crowns, recalled by the tarpaulins hanging from the ceiling and joined by one more on Thursday, in the name of its legend David Blatt.
The man who coached the team during its last Euroleague title in 2014 was celebrated before kick-off during a poignant ceremony. The technician has been retired from the benches for several years and suffers from multiple sclerosis. On the floor, apart from a brief burst (39-36), the ASM offered a helpless and therefore frustrated face, very different from that of the team with the cold determination seen on Tuesday. Monegasque coach Sasa Obradovic was even sent off at the very end of the third quarter (70-50).
From the outskirts of the Menora Mivtachim Arena deserted until the last moment, passing through the masterful Monegasque entry into the matter, nothing however announced the collapse of the second quarter, except that Maccabi found themselves with their backs. on the wall. Monaco also now. At least the Roca Team leaves Tel-Aviv, its yellow tide and its deluge of decibels. And even if a few Israeli supporters decide to follow them to the Gaston-Médecin room, they will not be nearly 11,000 like this Thursday.