Nanterre-Monaco (76-81): jostled, the Monegasques resist and win the clash at the top

The Nanterrians came very close to a big blow. Despite a good performance, the Hauts-de-Seine club narrowly lost (76-81) this Sunday evening in the match at the top of the Betclic Elite against Monaco played in a red-hot Paris La Défense Arena.

This is the end of a series of 7 consecutive victories. More experienced, the Monegasques, plagued by serious financial problems, managed to get the best at the end of the match against their ambitious runner-up who nevertheless retained his 2nd place 10 days from the end of the regular season. The team’s star Mike James was present with his teammates but only in civilian clothes, because the American leader refused to play, his club owing him “a million euros” he indicated.

“Thank you for coming!” Support Nanterre, support my team »

This meeting of the 20th day relocated to Paris La Défense Arena once again attracted the Ile-de-France public with the record number of spectators for a French Championship match with 17,487 people.

In a magnificent and warm atmosphere, the pre-match was marked by a testimony from the child from Nanterre and star of the San Antonio Spurs who is preparing to play his second all-star game next night in Los Angeles. “Thank you for coming!” Support Nanterre, support my team, insists Victor Wembanyama in a spot broadcast on the giant screens. Enjoy the show and encourage the Green and White.”

Driven by a lively crowd and led by a hard-hitting Mathis Dossou-Yovo (10 points, 2 rebounds in the first quarter), Nanterre quickly took the lead (5-0, 18-12, 24-17). Benjamin Sene and Paul Lacombe bring their tone. The Monegasques stand back before increasing the intensity in defense to regain the lead (24-25, 22nd). The skill of leader of the French team Élie Okobo and the vista of Nokola Mirotic allow the visitors to create a first gap at the break (38-45, 20th).

Under the eyes of Tricolore Guerschon Yabusele, silver medalist at the Paris Olympics and new player for the Chicago Bulls, the Rocher club escaped in the 3rd quarter (48-57, 52-65). The Hauts-de-Seine club, plagued by more waste in attack, notes the damage. Trailing by 12 points at the start of the last quarter, the Nanterriens nevertheless got back in front (74-70, 35th) thanks in particular to their brilliant American player Zakai Zigler. The public is wild. “Here, here, is Nanterre.” Pushed to its limits, Monaco finally won the match thanks to better management of the last possessions (76-81). But Nanterre has made the date for the playoffs.

“We had the merit of not giving up but we didn’t have the killer instinct at the end of the match to increase the gap and win,” confides local leader Benjamin Sene. The audience was exceptional. We want to play this type of match again later in the season. » “The Monegasques were better than us but my team was able to come back from the score by fighting until the end,” adds Nanter coach Julien Mahé. It was wonderful to play in this room. I hope we’ve earned the right to come back. »