The Roca Team came agonisingly close to ending their European slump on the evening of Friday, January 30, only to see victory ripped away in the final seconds by Virtus Bologna. A last-gasp three-pointer from Luca Vildoza condemned the Roca Team to an 82–84 defeat and a third straight loss in the EuroLeague.
Monaco entered the 25th round determined to respond after consecutive defeats against Crvena Zvezda and Real Madrid. In front of their home crowd at Gaston Médecin, the Monegasques delivered a near-perfect opening quarter, combining defensive intensity with sharp perimeter shooting to seize early control.
Led by Mike James and a red-hot Jaron Blossomgame, Monaco quickly found their range from deep. The ball movement was fluid, the spacing effective, and the scoreboard reflected their dominance as they closed the first quarter with a deserved eight-point cushion.
That early authority, however, gradually eroded. Virtus Bologna adjusted, raising their physicality and exploiting Monaco’s growing lack of cohesion. Tornike Shengelia’s absence mattered little as the Italians leaned on Alston’s flawless shooting and a strong rebounding presence to chip away at the deficit. By halftime, Monaco still led, but the margin had narrowed and the momentum was beginning to swing.
After the break, the contest tightened further. Turnovers crept into Monaco’s game, shot selection deteriorated, and Bologna capitalized relentlessly in the paint. The Roca Team struggled to impose their rhythm, allowing Virtus to draw level and eventually edge ahead midway through the second half.
Despite the wobble, Monaco refused to fold. A timely three from Matthew Strazel steadied the ship, and defensive stops allowed the hosts to cling to a narrow lead heading into the final quarter. But the closing stretch turned chaotic. Virtus went on a decisive run, punishing Monaco’s mistakes and briefly opening a multi-possession gap.
Just when defeat seemed inevitable, Gaston Médecin erupted. Elie Okobo and Mike James sparked a stunning late surge, reclaiming the lead with seconds remaining and sending the crowd into delirium. For a moment, Monaco appeared to have pulled off a dramatic escape.
That hope lasted only seconds. On the final possession, Vildoza rose beyond the arc and buried a cold-blooded three with four seconds left, silencing the arena. Okobo’s desperate buzzer-beater fell short, sealing a cruel ending for the Roca Team.
For coach Vassilis Spanoulis, the defeat will sting deeply. Monaco showed they can dominate at this level, but lapses in discipline, ball security, and shooting consistency proved fatal. As the EuroLeague season intensifies, the Roca Team now face growing urgency to turn competitive performances into results.
