Monaco faces a pivotal showdown against Barcelona on Tuesday in the decisive fifth and final game of their EuroLeague quarterfinal series. The stakes are incredibly high, as the winner advances to the coveted Final Four tournament scheduled for May 23rd in Abu Dhabi. After suffering two defeats on the road in Barcelona last week, Monaco must secure a victory on their home court to keep their Final Four dreams alive.
Oleksiy Yefimov, Monaco’s General Manager and the architect of the current team, acknowledged the pressure associated with the high-stakes encounter. "I always say that the most important thing is consistency of results. But this is our fourth consecutive playoffs (after Olympiakos, Tel Aviv, Fenerbahçe), for as many Game 5s. I would have preferred it to happen differently," Yefimov stated, reflecting on the team’s journey to this critical juncture. Despite maintaining a smile after the second consecutive defeat in Catalonia (79-72, following a 100-89 loss) on Friday, Yefimov was visibly disappointed, as Monaco squandered two opportunities to close out the series.
Head Coach Vassilis Spanoulis emphasized the team’s missed chances in the fourth game. "We mainly missed our chance in the fourth, " Spanoulis said. "We did not execute our plans correctly and we missed crucial shots when we were ahead."
The Roca Team will have the advantage of playing at their home arena, the Salle Gaston-Médecin. In the past two seasons, they experienced both triumph and heartbreak at home in similar situations: a series-clinching victory against Tel Aviv in 2023, and an agonizing defeat against Fenerbahçe in 2024. "We fought 34 days for this, and if throughout my career I am told: ‘You will systematically play the fifth match, qualifying for the Final Four at home’, I’ll take it," Spanoulis insisted, highlighting the significance of playing the decisive game in front of their passionate home crowd.
The importance of the game was underscored by the presence of the club’s president, Aleksey Fedoricsev. Despite being slightly unwell, the Russian-Hungarian millionaire attended Monday’s practice session wearing a protective mask, to demonstrate the importance of victory for the club’s continued growth and development.
"There is pressure, that’s for sure," Yefimov admitted. "But we will be able to cope with it. First, the majority of the players have experienced the play-offs in past years and know this tension. Daniel Theis also has the experience. And then, Vassilis Spanoulis has always shown his best version in these matches when he was a player. He knows how to lead a team in these circumstances."
Spanoulis, in his first year as head coach, emphasized the importance of a fearless approach. "You shouldn’t be afraid to lose," the Monaco coach stated. "There is no pressure to have. It’s a basketball game, with a plan to execute." Recognizing the closely matched talent of both teams, Spanoulis stressed the importance of mental fortitude.
"You must never stop fighting, always believe," he urged. "Whether we are ahead or not on the score, anything can happen. You must never change attitude. That’s how good things happen." Spanoulis expects Mike James and his teammates to exhibit "a clear mind" and "a lot of heart" on the court, in order to "play our basketball."
The performance of Monaco’s star guard, Mike James, will be closely scrutinized. He was instrumental in Monaco’s dominant victory in the first game (97-80), along with Daniel Theis. In the second game (92-79), Alpha Diallo and Mam Jaiteh stepped up, "always with Terry Tarpey as an X-factor, and since the beginning of the series, Matthew Strazel has been very consistent," Yefimov pointed out. "It’s therefore a match for all of Monaco, not just for Mike," the Monegasque director asserted, emphasizing the team’s collective strength.
Expressing confidence in his players, Yefimov concluded, "The match will be won on the fight and our ability to control our emotions. Qualifying will be a great success, but there is no question of celebrating that. Because we then have many other goals."
The atmosphere in the Salle Gaston-Médecin is expected to be electric, with Monaco fans eager to propel their team to the Final Four. The team will be looking to feed off the energy of the crowd and create a hostile environment for Barcelona. The players are aware of the weight of expectations, but they are also determined to rise to the occasion and deliver a memorable performance.
Barcelona, on the other hand, will be aiming to spoil Monaco’s party. They are a seasoned team with a wealth of experience in the EuroLeague, and they will not be intimidated by the atmosphere. Barcelona’s coach Roger Grimau will look to exploit any weaknesses in Monaco’s game plan. They will need to execute their game plan effectively and limit Monaco’s offensive opportunities.
Ultimately, the game will likely come down to which team can maintain its composure under pressure and make the crucial plays down the stretch. Both Monaco and Barcelona have the talent and experience to win, but only one will emerge victorious and secure a place in the Final Four. It promises to be a thrilling encounter.
The pressure on Monaco is palpable, given the investment in the team and the clear ambition to compete for the EuroLeague title. Securing a Final Four berth would be a significant milestone for the club and a testament to the vision of its owner. However, failure to do so would be a major disappointment, raising questions about the team’s ability to deliver on the biggest stage. The game against Barcelona represents a defining moment in the club’s history, and the players are fully aware of the stakes. They will need to channel their nerves and emotions into a focused and determined performance, leaving everything on the court in pursuit of their Final Four dream.
