Fenerbahce defeated Monaco 80:79 on away court in the Game 5 of the EuroLeague quarterfinal series, securing their spot in the Final Four.
This was the first time in EuroLeague history that the visiting team won Game 5 of the EuroLeague and advanced to the Final Four. So far, the host has been successful 19 times in such situations.
Johnathan Motley finally returned to Fenerbahce’s lineup for this game. On the other hand, Sarunas Jasikevicius couldn’t count on Terry Tarpey, while Kemba Walker was also unavailable
Both teams entered the game somewhat nervously, which could be expected given that the prize was a spot in the EuroLeague Final Four in Berlin. Elie Okobo provided some rhythm to the game with a 6:0 run, giving his team the lead but also awakening the opponent in the final minutes of the first quarter – 15:13.
Monaco was the better team on the court throughout, but Fenerbahce managed to respond adequately with three-pointers to the good play of their rivals. Sarunas Jasikevicius gave Nate Sestina, Marko Guduric, and Scottie Wilbekin free rein, and they were the main contributors to Fenerbahce trailing by just two possessions at halftime – 40:35.
The Turkish team started the third period better than their opponents, quickly equalizing with a 10:2 run. A response from the other side came from the brilliant Mike James, who scored eight straight points to give the “Princes” a 55:48 lead. Just when it seemed like Obradovic’s team was completely imposing its rhythm, Tarik Biberovic “appeared” with eight points, which were enough for Fenerbahce to take the lead before the decisive 10 minutes (56:55).
There was a long pause due to issues with the scorekeeping table at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Neither team could find their rhythm in offense, so we witnessed a quarter with very few points. A crucial three-pointer was made by Guduric with just under 3 minutes remaining, putting Fenerbahce ahead 67:63. However, Mike James responded, leading to a tense finish. Wilbekin hit a crucial three-pointer to make it 70:68, but Okobo responded with another tie at 45 seconds left. Okobo had a shot for the win at the buzzer with the score tied 70-70, but he missed, sending the game into overtime.
James hit a three-pointer right at the start of overtime, opening the additional 5 minutes in an ideal way. Monaco maintained a minimal lead until Nick Calathes‘ three-pointer with a minute left tied the game again at 77:77. Calathes hit another three-pointer, this time to take the lead 80:79, and then stole the ball from the unfortunate player of this game, Okobo, leading Fenerbahce to win and securing a spot in the Final Four.
The top scorer for the losing team was Mike James with 20 points, while Donatas Motiejunas added 16. Nick Calathes and Scottie Wilbekin scored 14 points each for Fenerbahce, while Tarik Biberovic had 13.
At the Final Four, Fenerbahce will play against Panathinaikos.
What a game! 🤩#EuroLeague pic.twitter.com/T1WJBsSMcD
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) May 8, 2024
MONACO – FENERBAHCE 79:80 (15:13, 25:22, 15:21, 15:14, 9:10)
Venue: Salle Gaston Medecin, Monaco
Referees: Rocha, Peruga, Perez
Monaco: Okobo 15, Loyd 5, Blossomgame 5, Brown 3, Diallo 10, Cornelie, Jaiteh, Motiejunas 16, Ouattara, Strazel, Hall 5, James 20.
Fenerbahce: Motley 6, Wilbekin 14, Sanli, Papagiannis 6, Hayes-Davis 7, Biberovic 13, Pierre 2, Guduric 10, Dorsey, Calathes 14, Madar, Sestina 8.