Fenerbahce runs hot late: World Champion Theis misses historic triumph with Monaco
Daniel Theis played well but could not prevent his AS Monaco from losing.
(Photo: REUTERS)
Basketball world champion Daniel Theis narrowly missed another major title. The 33-year-old lost the Euroleague final with AS Monaco to favorites Fenerbahce Istanbul in Abu Dhabi, failing to take the final step toward winning the title for the first time.
A good three months after retiring from the NBA, world champion Daniel Theis missed out on triumphing in the EuroLeague. In the Final Four in Abu Dhabi, the center lost 70-81 (33-35) with AS Monaco to Fenerbahce Istanbul. It would have been the club from the principality's first title in Europe's most important club competition.
Theis, who left North America behind in February after eight years, could have become the third German to win the crown, following record international Patrick Femerling (2003 with Barcelona) and Tibor Pleiß (2021 and 2022 with Anadolu Istanbul). Pleiß, along with defending champion Panathinaikos Athens, lost in the semifinals to Turkish club Fenerbahce in his fourth appearance at the final tournament.
At the event's Abu Dhabi premiere, Theis was in Monaco's starting five, and the AS initially dominated in front of numerous stars from sports and show business. Mike James, the best scorer in EuroLeague history, was particularly hot, scoring confidently from the three-point line.
Suddenly Monaco has problemsFener, led by former Munich player Wade Baldwin, held firm and kept in touch. In this evenly matched duel, neither team was able to pull away, and the lead changed repeatedly at the Etihad Arena. It wasn't until the beginning of the final quarter that the picture changed. Monaco now struggled, especially on offense, while Istanbul, led by top scorer Nigel Hayes-Davis (23 points), pulled ahead by double digits (62-51 in the 34th minute). Monaco struggled unsuccessfully in the closing stages to avoid the impending defeat, and Fenerbahce clinched its second title after 2017.
Theis, who had twelve points and eight rebounds, decided to retire from the NBA after his release from the Oklahoma City Thunder in the spring, despite offers from other clubs. The move paid off; unlike his recent stint in the USA, the 33-year-old is a real pillar of Monaco's team – and now had the chance to play for a title right away. It wasn't far off.
Source: ntv.de, tno/sid
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