"Maybe we saw each other too quickly at the Final Four," said captain Yakuba Ouattara. "We couldn't fight their aggressiveness and it was the team that wanted the most that won tonight."

Despite this setback, the heaviest of its season, nothing is yet lost for ASM, which had regained two days earlier the advantage of the field of a resounding victory (83-78) in the Menora Mivtachim Arena, which became an impregnable fortress on Thursday.

The Roca Team on Tuesday was only the third team of the European season to leave this home court as a winner, and the second round in Israel on Thursday night was a reminder of why.

"Outside, I like to start strong so the hostile crowd doesn't get fired up," James said in the locker room Tuesday.

This time, after a first quarter during which Sasa Obradovic's men contained their hosts (24-17), his exit disrupted the Monegasque machine.

Two Maccabi shots from behind the line set the yellow arena on fire and the star's return to 18 points in the first half on Tuesday - but only 13 overall on Thursday - was not enough to extinguish it. ASM went on a 20-0 run fueled by five three-point shots, including three from Lorenzo Brown (22 points overall).

Mike James, ball in hand, on May 4, 2023 during Monaco's defeat on the floor of Maccabi Tel Aviv. The star of the Roca Team did not have his usual radiance (only 13 points) © JACK GUEZ / AFP / Archives

A half quarter without scoring for the Roca Team, who felt the heaviness of the boos bouncing the ball out of the circle but also the weight of history. Starting with that of the six European crowns of Maccabi, recalled by the tarpaulins hanging from the ceiling and joined by one more on Thursday, in the name of its legend David Blatt.

The man who coached the team during its last Euroleague title, in 2014, was celebrated before kick-off during a poignant ceremony. The technician has been removed from the benches for several years and suffers from multiple sclerosis.

On the floor, apart from a brief burst (39-36 in the 13th), ASM offered a helpless and therefore frustrated face, very different from that of the team with the cold determination seen Tuesday.

"Everything starts from our defense," Maccabi coach Oded Kattash praised his team's aggressiveness. "We are a very strong team at rebounding (46 against 35, editor's note)."

His Monegasque counterpart Sasa Obradovic was ejected at the very end of the third quarter (70-50) for dispute.

Monegasque coach Sasa Obradovic on May 4, 2023 during ASM's defeat on the floor of Maccabi Tel Aviv. The Serbian technician was ejected for a challenge at the very end of the third quarter © JACK GUEZ / AFP/Archives

From the outskirts of the deserted Menora Mivtachim Arena until the last moment through the Monegasque entry into the matter while in control, nothing announced the collapse of the second quarter, except that Maccabi was back to the wall.

Monaco too, too. At least the Roca Team is leaving Tel Aviv, its yellow tide and deluge of decibels.

And even if some Israeli fans decide to follow them to the Gaston-Médecin room, they will not be close to 11,000 as on Thursday.

"It won't be a question of talent," Ouattara said. We will have to defend his steak."

© 2023 AFP