Black evening for Roca Team, dominated by Fenerbahçe in Euroleague

For their return to the Euroleague, the Roca Team was dominated in all sectors by Fenerbahçe and never found their rhythm. The Turks logically won and confirm their status as leaders.

The Roca Team experienced a nightmarish evening in Istanbul, swept away by a Fenerbahçe confident in its strength and true to its status as EuroLeague leader. In a boiling Ülker Arena, the Roca Team never found their rhythm, constantly trailing in intensity, accuracy and collective control. This clear defeat (88-70) leaves the Monégasques under pressure in the fight for the playoffs, as they occupy tenth place, the last qualifying spot for the final phase.

An already worrying start to the match

The match tipped very early. From the first minutes, Vassilis Spanoulis’s players displayed an unusual nervousness. The offense lacked cohesion, initiatives were forced, and the defense struggled to contain a perfectly launched Fenerbahçe led by an incandescent Talen Horton-Tucker. The American guard, involved in every good play, immediately set the tone by multiplying initiatives and difficult baskets. Faced with this aggression, Monaco fell back, conceding an already problematic first quarter (20-15).

While the gap remained contained, the signals were alarming: Mike James, normally the team’s engine, was going through a very difficult start to the match, completely lacking accuracy and clarity. His rushed shots often broke up the rare sequences where Monaco seemed able to settle in.

The Turkish collective rolls, Monaco sinks

The second quarter confirmed the trend. Fenerbahçe, confident in its strength, accelerated without ever rushing. The Turkish collective, perfectly oiled, punished every Monaco approximation. Turnovers, poor spacing, missed open shots: the Roca Team accumulated errors, offering its opponent easy transition opportunities.

At halftime, the score (44-36) already reflected the difference in control between the two teams. Monaco remained in the match mathematically, but the visual impression was much more severe: Fenerbahçe controlled everything, Monaco suffered everything.

The return from halftime changed nothing. On the contrary, the third quarter was the most concerning for the Monégasques. The offense completely broke down, unable to find solutions. Mike James continued to force, as if trying to get himself out of his poor evening alone, but without success. Around him, no one really stepped up. Outside shots weren’t falling, penetrations were stopped cold, and the rare good sequences were immediately wiped out by a lack of consistency.

Fenerbahçe, meanwhile, continued its methodical work, taking advantage of every flaw to extend the lead (66-52) at the end of the third quarter. The arena, already won over, sensed that the match was decided.

A flat-footed end to the match

The final quarter was just a formality. Both coaches rotated their rosters, aware that the fate of the match was sealed. Without intensity or suspense, the final minutes simply confirmed the leader’s superiority, who won logically (88-70).

This defeat leaves Monaco in a delicate situation. Still tenth, the Roca Team sees competition getting closer and must imperatively react to avoid dropping out of the top 10. The team showed too many limitations in Istanbul: lack of accuracy, absence of rhythm, excessive dependence on Mike James, and a collective unable to respond to opposing impact.

Conversely, Fenerbahçe confirms its status as the boss of the EuroLeague. Solid, consistent, led by a brilliant Horton-Tucker and a perfectly set collective, the Turks continue their forward march and send a clear message to the entire competition.

Next match for the Roca Team, this Saturday at 8:30 PM for the home reception of Cholet in Betclic Elite.

Matthieu Brabant