After stumbling in the opening game of the Betclic Elite semi-finals, Monaco delivered a thunderous response on Thursday night, overpowering Asvel 94-77 in Décines to even the series at 1-1. The two rivals will now face off again on Sunday in the Principality, with the momentum firmly swinging back towards the Roca Team.

Driven by a fierce determination, Monaco looked like a team transformed. Matthew Strazel, with a game-high 21 points, epitomised their fighting spirit, celebrating each difficult basket with raw intensity. From the opening tip, it was clear that Asvel were in for a very different encounter. Gone was the fatigued Monaco of Tuesday’s 94-74 defeat, worn down by a gruelling schedule of six games in twelve days. In their place stood a rejuvenated side hungry to set the record straight.

Thursday’s commanding win was not only Monaco’s first victory over Asvel in this year’s Championship — after two regular-season losses and Tuesday’s setback — but also a statement of intent. Historically inconsistent, the Principality club seems to thrive when its back is against the wall. And following a turbulent fortnight, including a Euroleague final loss in Abu Dhabi to Fenerbahçe (81-70), ongoing suspension of star player Mike James, and swirling rumours of discontent, Monaco’s response was emphatic.

Coach Vassilis Spanoulis had openly questioned the hunger of his high-paid squad after Game 1. They answered. Monaco silenced the LDLC Arena early, tearing off a 13-0 first-quarter run that shifted the contest irreversibly (from 7-6 to 7-19). “Perhaps we hadn’t realised how loud they could get,” quipped one team source, as the home crowd was stunned into silence.

There were tactical tweaks too. Georgios Papagiannis replaced Mouhammadou Jaiteh in the starting five and made an instant impact, scoring eight of Monaco’s first ten points — four of them via crowd-pleasing dunks, including three alley-oops.

But it was in attitude and defence that Monaco truly flipped the script. Alpha Diallo, praised by his coach as “the best on-ball defender in Europe,” and the tireless Jaron Blossomgame (13 points) locked down Théo Maledon and Andre Roberson, who combined for a dismal 3-for-19 shooting night. Meanwhile, Elie Okobo (13 points, 5 assists) rediscovered his rhythm, punctuated by a silky step-back three-pointer at the halftime buzzer, giving Monaco a 47-28 lead they never relinquished.

With pride restored and home court beckoning, the Roca Team now have a golden opportunity to seize control of the series on Sunday. If this performance is anything to go by, Asvel can expect another ferocious battle in the Principality.