Monaco Dominates Final to Secure Fourth Leaders Cup
AS Monaco Basket, widely recognized as the Roca Team, has clinched the 2026 Leaders Cup title, showcasing a dominant performance against Le Mans Sarthe Basket in the final. The Monegasque side triumphed with a decisive 103-79 victory on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the Futuroscope Arena in Poitiers, France. This win marks the club's fourth Leaders Cup trophy and serves as sweet revenge, avenging their loss to Le Mans in the previous year's final.
Okobo Named MVP in Stellar Team Effort
Guard Elie Okobo was instrumental in Monaco's success, earning the prestigious MVP award for his outstanding play throughout the tournament, including a game-high 19 points in the final. The Roca Team's victory was a collective effort, with several players contributing significantly to the scoreline:
- Elie Okobo: 19 points
- Jaron Blossomgame: 17 points
- Daniel Theis: 15 points and 9 rebounds
- Alpha Diallo: 14 points
- Mike James: 12 points and 9 assists
For Le Mans, Johnny Berhanemeskel was the top scorer with 22 points, but his efforts were not enough to overcome Monaco's formidable display.
Path to Glory and Strategic Play
Under the guidance of coach Vassilis Spanoulis, the Roca Team demonstrated exceptional defensive intensity and offensive precision throughout the tournament. Their journey to the final included a commanding 115-83 victory over Cholet Basket in the semi-finals and a win against Strasbourg in the quarterfinals. In the final, Monaco established an early lead, ending the first quarter with a significant 30-12 advantage. Despite a brief rally from Le Mans in the second quarter, Monaco maintained control, entering halftime with a comfortable 53-40 lead. The third quarter further solidified their dominance, with Jaron Blossomgame hitting crucial three-pointers to extend the lead beyond 20 points, effectively putting the game out of reach.
Significance of the Win
This triumph ends an eight-year wait for AS Monaco to lift the Leaders Cup trophy, marking a significant achievement for the club. The victory not only secures their first title of the season but also provides a considerable boost of confidence as they continue their campaigns in the EuroLeague and the French championship.
5 Comments
Noir Black
Finally, the Leaders Cup is back in Monaco! Eight years was too long. What a moment!
Eugene Alta
It's fantastic that Monaco avenged last year's loss to Le Mans with such a decisive win, demonstrating significant improvement. Yet, one wonders if Le Mans was truly at their peak, or if Monaco simply outmatched them on this particular day.
KittyKat
Elie Okobo was on fire! MVP well-deserved, he truly carried them. So proud!
Katchuka
This win is a huge statement for EuroLeague. They're looking like a force to be reckoned with!
Donatello
Sweet revenge against Le Mans! This is exactly what we needed after last year. Unstoppable!