By Le Figaro
Published yesterday at 9:40 p.m., Updated yesterday at 11:13 p.m.
Jordan Loyd scored 15 points and made the “coup de grace” basket this Friday. Norbert Scanella / Norbert Scanella / Panoramic
Beaten in the first round last Wednesday, the Roca Team won against the Turks this Friday, at Gaston-Médecin, in the quarter-finals.
Monaco snatched victory against Fenerbahçe (93-88) in the second home leg of the Euroleague quarter-finals, to equalize (1-1) in the series between the two clubs. From now on, the two clubs will continue their confrontation with two meetings in Istanbul, on May 1 and 3, during which Monaco will have to win at least once in order to play a fifth and final match at home, qualifying for the Final Four of Berlin.
It was Jordan Loyd who took matters into his own hands at the end of the match to allow his team, who were off to a bad start after a very poor third quarter (11-24), to win following a shot awarded eight seconds from the end. “Jordan made the difference, we understand better why we missed him so much this season”launched his coach Sasa Obradovic about his leader who is often absent due to his back problems, following an operation undergone this summer in the United States.
After falling after extra time (91-95) on Wednesday, the Roca Team, under pressure at the start of this meeting, showed great mental resources against a team which has long had an insolent skill offshore (14/22 at the end). start of the last quarter). “We survived the first half thanks to our three-point baskets”also recognized the Lithuanian coach of Fenerbahçe, Sarunas Jasikevicius. “Then we had an excellent third quarter, before the match was decided by an unnecessary foul or a missed rebound”he continued.
Now the masks have fallen.
Sasa Obradovic
After starting the match perfectly with a 16-point lead (31-15, 9th), Monaco suffered a rain of long-distance shots, notably from the fine blades Tyler Dorsey (25 points) and Scottie Wilbekin ( 23 points). The Monegasques had to come back 9 points in the final quarter (65-74, 30th). With self-sacrifice, and even without John Brown, injured in the right shoulder on a screen from Georgios Papagiannis (26th), the Roca Team achieved this under the leadership of the Motiejunas-Okobo-Loyd trio.
Like last season at this stage of the competition against Maccabi Tel Aviv, Obradovic’s men were able to turn the situation around to equalize the series. “What a last quarter (won 28-14 by Monaco, editor’s note)he whispered. My players showed a lot of character, while Fener had incredible confidence after their victory. We had to stay focused.”
With a Mike James, “who had difficulty against one of the best defenders in Europe (Calathes, editor’s note)”recognized Obradovic, but who was very selfless (8 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds), Monaco had an excellent final stretch. “Mike has to be satisfied with that: scoring fewer points and making more passes if we manage to win”assured his coach.
After being beaten, then put under great pressure at the end of the third quarter, Monaco, where Kemba Walker remained in the stands, came back very strong. “From now on, we are going to Istanbul with a big heart and a lot of confidenceclearly announces Obradovic. The roles have changed. We have time to prepare. Now the masks have fallen. I don’t expect many surprises anymore. But it will take great basketball to win.”
