Last night Monaco played good basketball but Virtus Bologna had the last word. It marked the home team’s first defeat of the season at Gaston-Médecin Arena – the first under the Sasa Obradovic era – and it prevents the Roca Team from finishing in first place in group A. But that does not call into question the qualification for the Top 16, nor the good work accomplished since the start of the season.
His name is Milos Teodosic and he is Virtus Bologna’s go-to guy. A former Euroleague MVP, the Bolognese leader had a great game last night at Gaston Médecin Arena. With 25 points scored, he put an end to the Monegasque dream which was to finish at the top of their Eurocup group. Nevertheless, the Roca Boys have not failed in their objectives, far from it. With a fiery start to the game that allowed Dee Bost’s teammates to lead by 13 points at the end of the first quarter, Monaco had a chance to win this match.
Poor shooting
Teodosic’s success combined with a painful dearth from behind the 3-point line (4/23) explains this turnaround and the Italian victory. “We faced a solid, experienced team. We should have been more patient to control the match and the result. This can serve as a lesson,” said the Monegasque coach on the club’s website after the game. Monaco will play in the final phase of the Eurocup and the team must be prepared to face the best of the best.
From Friday, Monaco resumes Jeep Elite play with a trip to the Portel.
*Article originally published in the French edition of the Monaco Tribune.