The Gaston-Médecin arena came alive last Saturday as the Monaco Basket Association (MBA) women’s team secured a promotion to Ligue 2 Féminine, overpowering Ambitions Girondines 77-53 before a crowd of over 1,500. With His Serene Highness Prince Albert II and Roca Team stars like Mike James and Nick Calathes in attendance, Olga Tarasenko’s squad dominated from the opening tip, marking their return to the second tier just two years after relegation.
The victory capped a flawless run—16 wins in 16 games—unprecedented at this level. The final buzzer unleashed a wave of celebration, players and fans uniting in a moment that lit up Women’s Rights Day. For MBA president Eric Elena, it was a triumph born from two years of rebuilding after a tough fall he’d shouldered the blame for. The packed stands, the royal presence, and the Roca Team’s support made it a night beyond imagination.
Coach Olga Tarasenko, back since last year, has steered the team to an extraordinary season. She sees titles ahead, maybe even the Coupe de France at Bercy. The atmosphere stunned her—far more fans than expected, a rare swell of support for women’s basketball on the Côte d’Azur. After the game, she and her players shared a moment with the Roca stars, a nod across Monaco’s basketball family.
Now, the talk is of an undefeated season, a feat Elena once doubted but now believes possible given the team’s fire. Looking to Ligue 2, the focus shifts to keeping the core roster and scouting four young talents under 23 to compete at the next level. After a historic night like this, MBA’s momentum feels unstoppable.
Image courtesy of Communication Department / Manuel Vitali
