The Roca Team delivered one of their most complete performances of the season on the evening of Thursday, January 8, claiming a statement 101–92 victory away to Valencia Basket in the 21st round of the EuroLeague. On the court of a Valencia side sitting near the top of the standings and unbeaten for several games, the Roca Team combined discipline, patience and collective strength to take control of the contest and hold it until the final buzzer.
In a packed Roig Arena, Monaco weathered an energetic start from the hosts, who initially capitalised on a handful of early turnovers to seize momentum. Valencia’s intensity and rebounding presence allowed them to edge the opening exchanges, but Monaco gradually settled, tightening defensively and finding their rhythm through ball movement rather than individual plays.
As the first quarter progressed, Monaco began to assert themselves. Nikola Mirotić provided an early offensive spark, while Kevarrius Hayes anchored the paint at both ends. Although Valencia closed the opening period narrowly in front, the balance of the game began to shift as Monaco’s defensive pressure increased and the bench rotation brought fresh energy.
The second quarter proved decisive. Monaco raised their defensive intensity, disrupted Valencia’s ball circulation and punished mistakes in transition. Mike James orchestrated play with composure, mixing scoring with playmaking, while Nemanja Nedović and Terry Tarpey made key contributions on both ends of the floor. Alpha Diallo’s physical presence epitomised Monaco’s dominance during this stretch, as the visitors built a double-digit lead and closed the first half firmly in control.
After the break, Monaco maintained their focus against a Valencia side determined to respond. The hosts briefly reduced the gap through improved shooting and trips to the free-throw line, but Monaco consistently found answers. James continued to dictate tempo, feeding teammates in advantageous positions, while Mirotić punished defensive lapses from long range to keep the margin stable.
Valencia’s last serious push came late in the third quarter, when pressure from the crowd and a run of Monaco turnovers brought the deficit down and revived belief inside the arena. The tension carried into the early moments of the final period, with the outcome still in the balance.
Any doubt was swiftly erased by Monaco’s response. Nedović took control of the fourth quarter, unleashing a rapid scoring burst that included multiple three-pointers and a driving finish, stretching the lead back into double figures within minutes. From there, Monaco managed the game with maturity, absorbing Valencia’s final attempts to rally and closing out the contest with authority.
James finished with a double-double, recording 14 points and 10 assists, a reflection of the collective efficiency that defined Monaco’s performance. Crucially, the Roca Team showed composure and unity throughout, sharing scoring responsibilities and remaining defensively disciplined until the end.
The win further strengthens Monaco’s position among the EuroLeague’s elite and sends a clear message ahead of the season’s decisive stretch. On one of Europe’s most demanding courts, Vassilis Spanoulis’s side demonstrated both character and control, securing a benchmark victory that could resonate well beyond Valencia.
