Monaco breaks Barça's heart

BarcelonaThe most competitive version of a Barça unraveled by losses was left a hand away from the final four (85-84). Kevin Punter missed a three-pointer on the buzzer, and after three consecutive appearances among the top four in Europe, the Blaugrana team will face the title fight from home for the second consecutive season. A basket by Mike James with 55 seconds left proved decisive, as the Catalans missed their last two attacks.

"The game was decided by details. Nobody counted on us, but now we're screwed," analyzed Joan Peñarroya. The Egarense coach was without Jan Vesely, who joined Juan Núñez, Nico Laprovittola, Dame Sarr, and Chimezie Metu. He managed the few resources at his disposal optimally, exploiting players like Willy Hernangómez, Justin Anderson, and Youssoupha Fall, who had had a less-than-useful season. The coach hid his shortcomings and enhanced his strengths on an afternoon conditioned by home-style refereeing.

After four high-intensity matches, the fifth match of the knockout stage still concealed some twists and turns that could be transferred to the cinema. Peñarroya and Spanoulis exchanged moves in an attempt to make the tactics win in life. Salle Gaston Médecin experienced moments of high tension, both among the players and with the referees, to hinder the attack of a Barça team that lost effectiveness and order.

The home side's lead grew to 10 points at the start of the third quarter (51-41). Barça took advantage of Anderson's energy and Hernangómez's points to react with a strong run and turn the score around (68-71). Monaco relied on Jaron Blossomgame's defensive efforts to get back into the game. The final stretch was a toss-up.

Mike James put the home side ahead with a basket with 55 seconds left. Anderson and, just before the buzzer, Punter missed two three-pointers that would have turned things around for a Barça side that deserved better luck in Monaco, where the home side made the most of their home court advantage. "We played a great game against an opponent that showed character," summed up Spanoulis.

Thursday, match in A Coruña

With no time to recover, Barça plays this Thursday at Leyma Coruña. The match, which was scheduled for last weekend, is part of the thirtieth round of the Endesa League. The Blaugrana team will close out the week by hosting Hiopos Lleida at the Palau this Sunday.