Real Madrid secures the wild card at the Palacio
Chus Mateo’s men defeat Fenerbahce to have the ‘home court factor’ in the ‘playoffs’
MADRID, 29 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid dispatched Fenerbahce (90-75) this Wednesday on matchday 31 of the Euroleague held at the WiZink Center, an almost placid victory for the whites with which they ensured the ‘Top 4’ and, therefore, the advantage of field facing the ‘playoffs’.
The Spanish team, in the first campaign with Chus Mateo, continues to fulfill in Europe, with the second objective of the campaign. Madrid will be one of the first four and will have the wild card of the Palace in search of the ‘Final Four’ in Kaunas.
The duel of giants, with a Fenerbahce with options to reach that ‘Top 4’, seemed even, but Madrid was always one step ahead. Dzanan Musa (16 points and a PIR of 25), Gabi Deck (PIR of 23) and Adam Hanga (20) were the best in a good show of strength from the 10-time European champion against a very discreet Fenerbahce.
The success of three helped the white night a lot. It was in the second quarter when the local machinery was uncovered, although without being reflected in the score (49-44). Madrid left the defense for the second half and in the first half they had fun, everyone scored, especially Cornelie imitating Musa as a gunner.
In the Turks, two ex-Barça players like Calathes and Hayes left 10 points each at halftime, with the visiting team also having a lot of punch, although without the fluidity of Madrid. The ease of the locals became more noticeable in the return from the changing rooms, scoring Hanga and Yabusele to open the high of the match (58-46).
Mateo took the opportunity to put more tension in defense and Dimitris Itoudis’ men did not raise that bar. With a 19-14 lead, Poirier and Musa were in charge of taking off, Madrid extended their lead ahead of a last quarter that was soon on track. Fenerbahce missed the points of the absent Scottie Wilbekin, without weapons.
With Motley and Booker shut down on the inside and Calathes throwing stones at the board, the Istanbul team never believed in a comeback to avoid their fifth straight defeat in the Spanish capital. The Madrid side, without their guards Nigel Williams-Goss and Sergio Llull or Causeur, did not miss the option of liking each other, while Mateo even gave breaks, especially to Tavares.
Although Poirier was enough, the giant from Cape Verde returned for the last three minutes, where anyone from the Euroleague can upset you. Between the intimidation of the pivot, the triples by Rudy and Hanga and the misguidance of the Turks, the victory was not in danger for a Madrid that is fulfilling its goals on the road to Kaunas.
DATASHEET.
–RESULT: REAL MADRID, 90 – FENERBAHCE, 75. (49-44, at halftime).
–EQUIPMENT.
REAL MADRID: Hanga (11), Musa (16), Deck (6), Yabusele (9) and Tavares (4) — the starting quintet –; Hezonja (10), Sergio Rodriguez (5), Rudy Fernandez (9), Poirier (11), Cornelie (9).
FENERBAHCE: Calathes (12), Guduric (10), Hayes-Davis (17), Motley (6) and Booker (9) — the starting quintet– Dorsey (6), Bjelica (-), Jekiri (6), Biberovic (7), Edwards (2), Hazer (-), Acpinar.
–PARTIALS: 24-21, 25-23, 19-14, 22-17.
–REFEREES: Radovic, Vilius and Nedovic. No deleted.
–PAVILION: WiZink Center, 9,523 spectators.