Shaken by a severe economic crisis, the Principality club validated its qualification for the French Cup final by winning in Nanterre. La Roca Team will face Le Mans on April 25 at the Accor Arena.
The evening at the Maurice-Thorez sports palace offered a striking contrast. On one side, a Nanterre team supported by a dense crowd and carried by a solid season. On the other, a Monégasque group in full turmoil, marked by payment delays, departures, absences and still unclear institutional future. Despite this tense setting, the match concluded with a Monégasque victory (88-83) and a place in the French Cup final.
La Roca Team is going through a difficult period. A major economic crisis is weakening the structure and fueling uncertainties. The temporary departure of Vassilis Spanoulis, announced at the end of the week, added another layer of doubt. Assistant Sergii Gladyr took over. The former Nanterre player knows the French club well, which gave a particular dimension to this semi-final.
The match started at a brisk pace. La Roca Team took the lead from the opening minutes. The team imposed a rapid tempo, based on short transitions and fluid ball circulation. The reduced rotation forced the leaders to shoulder a significant load. Only nine professionals were available, including just two specialist big men. This constraint shaped the game plan and pushed the team to rely on speed.
Nanterre responded with energy. The French club’s interior was strong thanks to Roko Prkacin, Mitchell Saxen and Mathis Dossou-Yovo. The three players found spaces when Kevarrius Hayes, Monaco’s only specialist center tonight, was hindered by fouls. The crowd accompanied every favorable sequence, particularly during the comeback in the final quarter. The JSF came back to six points, then five, before giving way in the final seconds.
The end of the match turned on details. A three-pointer by Jeremy Senglin with 23 seconds remaining revived local hopes. La Roca Team then sealed qualification at the free-throw line. “2/2 for Alpha Diallo” followed by “1/2 for Mike James” sealed the difference. A calm, almost clinical management that allowed them to preserve their lead.
Intact sporting momentum despite turbulence
This victory extends an impressive streak. No French team has beaten Monaco since autumn. The momentum continues across all domestic competitions. The club has already won the Champions Trophy and the Leaders Cup. The first-place finish in Betclic Élite strengthens the trajectory further. The prospect of a domestic quadruple remains open, even if the off-field context darkens the horizon.
The Nanterre match confirmed the team’s ability to adapt. The absences of Nikola Mirotic and Daniel Theis altered the balance. The departure of Yoan Makoundou further reduced depth. Despite this, La Roca Team built a substantial lead in the third quarter thanks to an offensive stretch marked by a “6/8 from three-point range” from the Alpha Diallo – Nemanja Nedovic pairing. The score climbed to +19 (61-42). Nanterre’s reaction then animated the end of the match, but without reversing the trend.
The qualification now paves the way for a new confrontation with Le Mans. The two teams have already faced each other in the Champions Trophy final and then in the Leaders Cup final. Both matches went in favor of Monaco. The meeting on April 25 at the Accor Arena promises to be laden with stakes, both sporting and institutional.
La Roca Team has won the French Cup only once in its history, in 2023. The possibility of adding another trophy in such an unstable context gives this campaign a singular dimension. The club moves forward with solid league performances, difficulties in Euroleague and structural uncertainties. The final will offer a new episode of a season where results contrast sharply with the internal situation.
NicePremium is a free, independent local news outlet.
Help us keep going by supporting our work from €5 per month.
