Monaco Falls to Fenerbahçe in EuroLeague Final
AS Monaco Basketball loses its first EuroLeague championship match, succumbing to Fenerbahçe Istanbul 81-70 in Abu Dhabi.
In a historic encounter, AS Monaco Basketball faced Fenerbahçe Istanbul in the EuroLeague final held on Sunday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
This was Monaco's inaugural appearance in a EuroLeague final, marking a significant milestone for the French team, aiming to join Limoges as the only French club to win the championship.
Monaco started strong, establishing a nine-point lead in the second quarter.
However, the momentum shifted in the second half as Fenerbahçe tightened its defense, ultimately carrying the game to a decisive 81-70 victory.
Marko Guduric of Fenerbahçe played a pivotal role, scoring 19 points.
His performance, particularly in the second half, was instrumental in breaking down Monaco's defense when it mattered most.
Despite spirited contributions from Monaco's Alpha Diallo and Mike James, who scored 19 and 17 points respectively, the Roca Team fell short of securing their first European title.
The final's turning point came in the fourth quarter, where Fenerbahçe outscored Monaco 27-19. The Turkish side demonstrated resilience and a higher execution rate in critical moments, capitalizing on turnovers made by Monaco.
Fenerbahçe's victory grants them their second EuroLeague title, their first since 2017, underscoring a successful season characterized by strong teamwork and strategic depth.
Monaco’s performance throughout the competition, culminating in their Final Four appearance, signals a promising future for the club, which has made rapid strides in European basketball since joining the EuroLeague and rising to national prominence within the last decade.
Following this defeat, Monaco will quickly turn its attention to domestic competitions, facing Le Mans in the quarter-finals of the Betclic Elite league later this week.
This was Monaco's inaugural appearance in a EuroLeague final, marking a significant milestone for the French team, aiming to join Limoges as the only French club to win the championship.
Monaco started strong, establishing a nine-point lead in the second quarter.
However, the momentum shifted in the second half as Fenerbahçe tightened its defense, ultimately carrying the game to a decisive 81-70 victory.
Marko Guduric of Fenerbahçe played a pivotal role, scoring 19 points.
His performance, particularly in the second half, was instrumental in breaking down Monaco's defense when it mattered most.
Despite spirited contributions from Monaco's Alpha Diallo and Mike James, who scored 19 and 17 points respectively, the Roca Team fell short of securing their first European title.
The final's turning point came in the fourth quarter, where Fenerbahçe outscored Monaco 27-19. The Turkish side demonstrated resilience and a higher execution rate in critical moments, capitalizing on turnovers made by Monaco.
Fenerbahçe's victory grants them their second EuroLeague title, their first since 2017, underscoring a successful season characterized by strong teamwork and strategic depth.
Monaco’s performance throughout the competition, culminating in their Final Four appearance, signals a promising future for the club, which has made rapid strides in European basketball since joining the EuroLeague and rising to national prominence within the last decade.
Following this defeat, Monaco will quickly turn its attention to domestic competitions, facing Le Mans in the quarter-finals of the Betclic Elite league later this week.
