Monaco vs Barça: Time for the big battles for Roca Team

AS Monaco Basketball begins its fourth consecutive EuroLeague playoff campaign this Wednesday evening (7pm, live on SKWEEK and TV Monaco), aiming for a return to the Final Four. They face the legendary FC Barcelona, who have returned to their best form after an explosive end to the regular season. Vassilis Spanoulis’s Roca Team approaches the game full of determination and supported by fans who have been waiting for this matchup for months.

🌋 The Rock is ready to roar! 🇲🇨

⚔️ For the 4th time in as many EuroLeague seasons, the #RocaTeam goes into the playoffs 💥

🎬 Series against Barça starts this Wednesday!🍿

📝 Preview of game 1️⃣ 🆚️ @FCBbasket 👇https://t.co/IWXprzGAo4

🎟 La… pic.twitter.com/kv7m1sy2Xp

— AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) April 22, 2025

A high-stakes series against a European giant

Some matchups make an entire continent buzz. Monaco vs Barça in the EuroLeague quarter-finals is one of them. Between a Principality team that has been growing stronger for several seasons, and an FC Barcelona with an impressive track record (2 EuroLeague titles, 20 Liga titles, 27 Copa del Rey…), the series promises to be intense. Especially since Monaco, with the second-best EuroLeague record over the past 4 years, wants to confirm its place among the elite.

« A legendary club stands before us with Barça. But this is the kind of challenge our Roca Team loves, » summarized General Manager Oleksiy Yefimov.

With Mike James (selected in the All-EuroLeague Second Team), Daniel Theis, Jordan Loyd, Alpha Diallo, and Mam Jaiteh, the Roca Team has the weapons to compete. And they know it. « The playoffs are a new story. We’ll need the best version of Monaco, » warned coach Vassilis Spanoulis.

Barça coming back strong, despite absences

While Barça spent much of the season outside the Top 8, they finished very strong (6 wins in their last 7 games) to secure 5th place. This revival was driven by Jan Vesely’s return and Kevin Punter’s exceptional performances, who has become one of Europe’s most feared shooters.

« We finished 5th despite setbacks, proving we’ve become a real team, » Punter said after the decisive win against Bologna.

But the Catalans are weakened: Nico Laprovittola, Juan Nunez, and Chimezie Metu are out for the season. This won’t stop Barça from being a fierce opponent, especially with Tomas Satoransky running the point, Jabari Parker finishing, and Youssoupha Fall in the paint. In the regular season, the Catalan club beat Monaco twice.

Roca Team full of confidence

On Sunday in Dijon, Monaco got to practice with a lineup very close to what might start this Wednesday: James, Loyd, Diallo, Theis, and Blossomgame. Mam Jaiteh, who made the game-winning shot, showed he was ready.

« The goal is to win all three games as quickly as possible… It will be a physical series, but we’ll stay united, » said the French center.

Monaco will have home-court advantage and can rely on passionate fans at Gaston Médecin for Game 1. For Mike James, EuroLeague’s all-time leading scorer, this could be another opportunity to shine in a crucial moment. The objective is clear: reach Abu Dhabi in late May and play in the Final Four.

Series schedule (best of 5):

• Game 1: Wednesday, April 23 – Monaco vs Barça (7pm)

• Game 2: Friday, April 25 – Monaco vs Barça (7pm)

• Game 3: Wednesday, April 30 – Barça vs Monaco (7pm)

• Game 4 (if needed): Friday, May 2 – Barça vs Monaco (8:45pm)

• Game 5 (if needed): date TBD – Monaco vs Barça