Euroleague Clásico win

The Euroleague returned to the Movistar Arena a month on with the fourth Clásico of the season and the outcome was the same as in the previous three: victory for Real Madrid, who remain unbeaten against Barça this season. Chus Mateo's men picked up a very important win in the run-up to the playoffs and ensured they would finish ahead of Barça in the event of a tie at the end of the regular season. The quartet of Musa (16 points and PIR of 24), Abalde (16 and 23), Hezonja (19 and 23) and Campazzo (18 and 16) was decisive in a game that our boys won in the last two minutes with an 8-0 run.

After an opening period in which both teams were feeling each other out and concentrating more on their defences, it was from the fourth minute onwards that the Clásico began to open up and pick up pace. Barcelona took the lead first with Brizuela and Parker for 14-21 (min. 8), but Madrid quickly neutralised the visitors' surge. A 9-2 run in just over a minute and a half, led by Campazzo (9 points) and a second unit that brought greater dynamism to the game, left the score at 23-25 in the 10th minute.

Close game
The dynamic of the game continued into the second quarter. Offensive austerity returned and the points came mainly from individual actions by Musa and Ibaka for Madrid and Parra and Anderson for Barça. A three-pointer by the American forward in the final seconds made it 40-43, in a first half where Chus Mateo's side failed to reflect their superiority in the PIR (47 to 36) as well as on the scoreboard.

Madrid came out differently in the second half. They were more aggressive at the back, with Garuba doing a great job. In attack, the team was patient and looked for Tavares's superiority in the paint to create chances. Abalde and Musa took advantage of this to make a push in the form of a 13-4 run and take an 11-point lead in the 28th minute. When it seemed that the game could be decided, it was not to be, because Barcelona, with a very active Metu, took full advantage of several mistakes by Madrid (70-67, min. 30).

Madrid at their best when it mattered most
The feeling was that Real Madrid had not landed the decisive blow and that gave their rivals breathing space. Because our team could have closed out the game on several occasions during the last quarter with 8-point leads and possession to increase the difference. But it wasn't to be and Barça drew level at 86 with 1:15 to go. That was the turning point. Campazzo, Llull, Abalde, who had a superb game, Tavares fighting for every ball, Musa on the rebound... They all came together to put in a final spurt. An 8-0 run in just over 30 seconds gave them an 8-point lead that proved decisive, sealing the victory from the free throw line (96-91, min. 40).