Roca Team edge thrilling final to lift French Cup – NEWS.MC

The Roca Team produced a remarkable display of resilience to win the French Cup, defeating Le Mans Sarthe Basket 87–83 in a dramatic final at the Accor Arena in Paris on Saturday, April 25.

Less than 24 hours after securing their EuroLeague playoff spot with a victory over Barcelona, the Roca Team dug deep to claim their third trophy of the season, adding the Coupe de France to their earlier SuperCup and Leaders Cup triumphs—both also won against Le Mans.

Monaco made a strong start, showing little sign of fatigue despite their packed schedule. Early contributions from Mike James and Alpha Diallo helped establish control, while Matthew Strazel orchestrated play with composure and intensity.

The Principality side gradually built a significant first-half lead, tightening their defence and capitalising on turnovers to pull away. At one stage, Monaco surged ahead by double digits, closing the half with a dominant run that left Le Mans struggling to keep pace.

However, the momentum shifted after the break. Le Mans responded with renewed energy, cutting into the deficit with an aggressive spell that brought them back into contention. Monaco briefly regained control, but a late surge from their opponents set up a tense and unpredictable finish.

The final minutes unfolded at a frantic pace, with both teams trading baskets in a high-pressure contest. Le Mans even edged ahead momentarily, threatening to complete a comeback.

But Monaco’s experience proved decisive. A clutch three-pointer from Mike James in the closing stages swung the momentum back in their favour, before calm execution at the free-throw line and a crucial defensive play sealed the victory.

Speaking after the game, Matthew Strazel highlighted the team’s determination, pointing to their ability to stay united and push through physical and mental fatigue. Juhann Begarin also emphasised the collective effort, describing the final as a battle that required both character and belief.

With this latest title, Monaco continue an exceptional season and now turn their focus to the EuroLeague playoffs, where an even greater challenge awaits.