ball – Euroleague. Monaco wins on the wire against Alba Berlin and consolidates its place on the podium
Monaco won with great difficulty in its hall against Alba Berlin (92-89), red lantern, Friday during the 14th day of the Euroleague basketball and joined Fenerbahçe and Barcelona at the top of the general classification. It was thanks to a three-point shot from Elie Okobo at the last second that the Roca-Team did the bargain of the evening. The scenario of this match, rather well preceded by the Monegasques, spared the suspense until the end, the Berliners being much more skilful than their classification suggests.
The Principality club had won days in Madrid (95-94 ap) eight days ago against Real, then lost in their hall on Wednesday against Barcelona (69-63). He reassured himself by overcoming the German club thanks to a gala Okobo and a slightly less efficient Mike James who put himself at the service of the team (7 assists). The first quarter ended at 28-25, with eight Monegasque players having scored points, against Berliners deprived of several key players. The advantage of the Roca Team then increased to eight points (52-44 at half-time) and the case seems well underway.
Okobo, savior on the gong
This is where the Monegasque game began to fall apart, defensive oversights adding to a general lack of skill, even if Alpha Diallo (20 points) managed a big game. At the start of the last quarter, the coach of the Roca Team, Sasa Obradovic, called for a time out and uttered a big rant against his troops, who then reacted, but not enough.
It all happened in the last seconds when Johannes Thiemann missed, in quick succession, two out of four free throws, and especially when, at 89-89, the super rookie Okobo, champion of France last year with Asvel , planted the decisive basket, at the buzzer. Mission accomplished, but in pain. Monaco will play their next Euroleague match next Friday in Milan.