Real Madrid gives another Euroleague record to its fans
Mateo’s team, in a great game against Estrella Roja with nothing at stake, added their 26th victory
MADRID, 29 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid defeated Estrella Roja (101-94) this Friday on matchday 32 of the Euroleague, having already qualified in advance for the playoffs as champion of the Regular Phase, with nothing at stake either because the Serbians were eliminated, but with a level show at the WiZink Center.
Chus Mateo’s men dedicated to their fans a beautiful European victory that also increases the historical record of wins in a season to 26. The duel was by neighborhoods, but Madrid came back after seeing 16 points in the third quarter, with an exhibition by Dzanan Musa (30 points) and Mario Hezonja (20).
The Red Star had its invitation to the party with Nemanja Nedovic (30 points) and a former Madrid player like Adam Hanga (22), but the last blow was dealt by a champion who wants to reach the decisive stage with all his weapons in tune. After not participating in the previous day, Sergio Llull, Rudy Fernández and Sergio Rodríguez warmed up again for their umpteenth quest for titles.
The Canary Islands point guard was the one who shared the game in the third quarter to support the Serbian escape. The match had started with minutes for Hugo González and Ndiaye in the whites, while the visitors already reacted with Nedovic to win the first quarter and remain ahead at half-time despite Madrid’s efforts.
Musa and Hezonja already stood out for the locals and also Guerschon Yabusele, who finished with 16 points, and Edy Tavares (11 points and 11 rebounds). Mateo’s team needed one more point of order and defense, to wake up the Palace, but they still had to find themselves 16 down to finish looking for a serious comeback. Hanga commanded Estrella Roja’s escape, but ‘Chacho’ moved the whites and the triples narrowed the score.
However, Madrid did not complete its comeback until three and a half minutes before the end, determined towards victory with Musa. The Bosnian was the one who faced and took free throws in each play at the end, to culminate a leader’s victory. Mateo’s team stretched his record as a gift to a team that trusts in the defense of the Euroleague.
DATASHEET.
–RESULT: REAL MADRID, 101 – RED STAR, 94. (44-47, at half-time).
–EQUIPMENT.
REAL MADRID: Alocen (2), Hugo Gonzalez (-), Musa (30), Ndiaye (2) and Tavares (11) — starting quintet –; Yabusele (16), Rudy Fernandez (3), Poirier, Hezonja (20), Abalde (7), Sergio Rodriguez (3), Llull (7), Causeur (-).
ESTRELLA ROJA: Nedovic (30), Hanga (22), Giedraitis (2), Ilic (9) y Bolomboy (5) –quinteto inicial–; Smart (9), Davidovac (6), Mitrovic (6), Lazic (3), Gillespie (2), Lazarevic (-) y Tobey (-).
–PARTIALS: 20-21, 24-26, 28-28, 29-19.
–REFEREES: Boltauzer, Sukys and Boubert. Eliminated due to Gillespie fouls.
–PAVILLION: WiZink Center.