51st anniversary of club's fifth European Cup in basketball
On 3 April 1974, Real Madrid were crowned champions after defeating Varese in the final.
51 years ago today, Real Madrid clinched their fifth European Cup in basketball. The victory came on 3 April 1974, when the Whites beat Ignis Pallacanestro Varese 84-82 in the final in Nantes. Wayne Brabender (22 points) and Carmelo Cabrera (16) were the star players in the Madridista comeback in a very close game.
Pedro Ferrándiz's team reached the final after overcoming Freiburg in the first round, Heidelberg in the last 16, topping Group B in the quarter-finals and beating AS Berck Basket in the semi-finals over two legs. The heroics of the team, who regained the continental trophy six years on, were even more impressive when they defeated the Varese side, who had reached the last four European Cup finals. The victory in Nantes represents another milestone for Real Madrid in the history of the top continental competition, whose trophy cabinet boasts 11 pieces of silverware.
MATCH INFO
84-Real Madrid: Ramos (0), Brabender (22), Szczerbiak (14), Luyk (14), Rullán (14) – Cabrera (16), Corbalán (4).
82-Ignis Pallacanestro Varese: Ossola (4), Raga (17), Morse (24), Bisson (10), Meneghin (25) – Zanatta (2), Rusconi (0), Polzot (0).