Lenovo Tenerife kept the pressure but Real Madrid held on for a 82-76 victory in a hard-fought battle
Lenovo Tenerife tried to match Real Madrid face to face, but the mismatch in the end was a bit too much to overcome as the final scoreline finished 82-76. Tenerife showed resilience, especially on the glass, where they fought to control the boards and create second-chance opportunities.
Chus Mateo’s Real Madrid started strong, taking control in the opening quarters and building a lead that reached up to thirteen points. Tenerife stayed stubbornly in the mix, and after halftime the game shifted tempo. They managed to even the score twice, at 55-55 and 57-57, and briefly grabbed the lead at 58-57 with minutes ticking down in the third period. Real Madrid, however, answered with precision, tightening their defense and reasserting command to swing momentum back in their favor in a tightly contested clash that kept the Santiago Martin audience on its feet.
From the opening tip, Real Madrid asserted dominance in most facets, especially at home in Tenerife. Edy Tavares anchored the interior, and while Madrid flashed their intent with early baskets, Tenerife kept pace by converting chances and staying aggressive on the offensive glass. The first-quarter scoreboard showed a clear Madrid edge, yet Tenerife did not cede and kept the gap manageable as the period progressed.
The second period offered similar vibes. Tenerife pressed on both ends, and although their offensive flow was sometimes erratic, their defense kept them within striking distance. Remarkably, center Ristic owned the arc in a stretch, knocking down a couple of timely three-pointers to keep Tenerife within reach and energize the bench.
By halftime the score stood 34-47, signaling a challenging task ahead for the home side. Yet the message at halftime was simple: players needed to re-enter with intensity and cohesion to turn the game around in the second half.
In the opening minutes of the third quarter, Lenovo Tenerife pieced together a comeback with a fast start, ignited by a trio of big plays. Jaime Fernandez delivered early scoring bursts, and a triple from Fernandez again put the team within striking distance. A timely triple by another playmaker, Fitipaldo, plus a bucket from Shermadini, sparked an 11-0 run that altered the dynamic and dragged Tenerife back into contention. The crowd’s energy rose as the team showed belief and purpose, signaling a real fight in the match.
As the game progressed, Tavares continued to make his presence felt, unleashing inside scoring and drawing attention in the paint, although a fourth foul briefly forced him to the bench. Tenerife capitalized on these moments with a knockdown three from Doornekamp and a decisive basket from Abromaitis, keeping hope alive. A late free throw by Jaime Fernandez gave Tenerife their first lead at 58-57 with 29 minutes elapsed in the third quarter, sparking a renewed sense of optimism on the floor.
Despite Tenerife’s late surge, Real Madrid responded with composure and discipline. The European champions used solid defensive transitions and a well-structured offensive sequence led by their primary playmaker to regain the advantage and push ahead. Facundo Campazzo guided Madrid’s offense with poise, orchestrating ball movement, setting teammates up for efficient looks, and ensuring Madrid remained a step ahead on both ends as the period wore on.
The final stretch saw Tenerife push with three minutes remaining and sneaks of hope from Bruno Fitipaldo and Abromaitis, who combined to narrow the gap. Still, the time and fatigue worked against the hosts, and Madrid managed to close out the game with measured possessions and defensive stops to hold on to an 82-76 win. The performance highlighted Madrid’s ability to respond under pressure and Tenerife’s fight until the last horn.
– Data sheet:
76.Lenovo Tenerife (14+20+27+15). Huertas (9), Cook (3), Sastre (3), Doornekamp (6), Guerra (2) –initial-, Fitipaldo (6), Fernández (18), Abromaitis (12), Salin (3), Ristic (10) and Shermadini (4).
82.Real Madrid (27+20+18+17). Campazzo (12), Causeur (4), Musa (10), Yabusele (3), Tavares (14) –starter-, González (-), Poirier (13), Deck (10), Rodríguez (9), Rudy Fernández (3) and Abalde (4)
referees: Pérez Pérez, Cortés and Torres. They showed their techniques to the Lenovo Tenerife bench (min. 18), the local team’s coach Vidorreta (min. 18), and Real Madrid coach Chus Mateo (min. 18). min.29)
Events: The match was played at the Santiago Martín Sports Hall in front of 5,197 spectators. [citation: official box score and game report, Real Madrid basketball federation]