Monaco, the 7th in the Euroleague, faces the 10th, Zalgiris Kaunas. The stakes are high for both teams, Monaco is struggling and has suffered 3 consecutive defeats in this competition. Zalgiris Kaunas wants to stay in the top ten to at least qualify for the playoffs.Â
1st Quarter:
The beginnings are very complicated for the Roca Team. Zalgiris Kaunas deals an 8-0 blow to the Monegasques right from the start. Monaco eventually gets on the scoreboard after 4 minutes of nothingness. But the home team unfolds their offensive play and widens the gap.
The gap quickly increases to 10 points thanks to a phenomenal shooting accuracy from the Lithuanian team. Their play is well-oiled, the ball moves, good shots are found, and everyone is accurate.
The gap grows to 13, 15, then 17 points at the end of this one-sided quarter. 35-18 for Zalgiris Kaunas at the end of these first ten minutes.
2nd Quarter:
A lot of coaching at the start of the second quarter from Vassilis Spanoulis to reposition his troops. Monaco defends better, but the offense remains jammed.
Zalgiris, by drawing fouls, even increases the gap to 20 points.
Mike James, after 6 missed shots, tries to bounce back and carry the team on his back but it is not enough. Zalgiris Kaunas has less accuracy but finds other ways to score: free throws, fast breaks.
The Lithuanians head to the locker room with an 18-point lead: 56-38. To ensure a high-level second half, Monaco will need to revive its outstanding attack and be more serious and aggressive. Zalgiris Kaunas will have to stay focused to prevent a comeback from the team of the principality.
3rd Quarter:
Zalgiris continues its work, increases the gap to 25, 72-47. The Monegasques get frustrated, can’t find a solution, and this match turns into a demonstration.
The gap doesn’t change for 5/6 minutes, little rhythm, but the Lithuanians maintain their lead.
Thanks to some fouls drawn and free throws at the end of the quarter, Monaco reduces the gap to 16 points. Monaco gives themselves reasons to hope but will have to do much better in this last quarter to hope for a miracle today.
A victory like this could restart a dynamic, it’s up to the Monegasques to do what’s necessary.
4th Quarter:
The Zalgiris Kaunas players quash Monegasque hopes by striking in the first seconds of the quarter.
Zalgiris is above, Sylvain Francisco is impeccable tonight, driving the whole team with him.
It’s a festival for the Lithuanians in this quarter; they conclude the match wonderfully. The teams rotate players at the end of the match, it’s an ordeal for the Monegasques.
104-87 is the final score today.
The Monegasques will have to react at all levels to relaunch in this competition and reach the playoffs without going through the playoffs. Zalgiris Kaunas was very good today, confirms its tenth place, and allows itself to hope for better at the end of this season.
The crisis is both sporting and non-sporting at the moment, with unpaid salaries and consecutive defeats. It will be necessary to react to finish this season beautifully.
