Real Madrid secured a 90-75 victory over Fenerbahçe this Wednesday in the Euroleague’s 31st round, delivering a notably controlled performance at the WiZink Center. By maintaining discipline and pace, the Whites grabbed a coveted Top 4 spot, securing home-court advantage for the playoffs in the process.
Under Chus Mateo in his first season coaching in Europe, Real Madrid continues to find balance across the competition as they chase a second major objective for the campaign. The team sits among the leading four and now holds the potential wild card for the Final Four in Kaunas, a prize that would mark another milestone for the club in European competition.
The clash with Fenerbahçe, two basketball powerhouses facing a direct path to the top four, looked evenly matched on paper. Yet Madrid always seemed a step ahead. Dzanan Musa contributed 16 points with 25 rebounds, Gabi Deck added 23 points, and Adam Hanga chipped in 20, highlighting a robust and cohesive performance from a team that has long stood as Europe’s premier exponent of the sport.
The trio’s efficient scoring anchored Real Madrid, particularly in a second-quarter surge that didn’t immediately show on the scoreboard, as the home side stretched their advantage to 49-44 at the break. The defense tightened in the second half, while Madrid’s an all-around scoring effort kept the pressure on. Cornelie shined in the opening half, showing quick hands and a confident shooting stroke that echoed the versatility Madrid has showcased throughout the season.
Two former Barcelona players on the Turkish side, Calathes and There They, opened with 10 points apiece in the first half. Fenerbahçe, despite showing moments of clarity and strong fight, couldn’t match Madrid’s cohesion and fluidity. After halftime, Madrid’s rhythm intensified as Yabusele helped unlock a wider gap by the third quarter, moving the score to 58-46 and signaling the hosts’ comfortable lead.
Mateo pressed the defense, keep pressure on the guests, and the Madrid defense responded with crisp rotations. The visitors, guided by Poirier and Musa, tried to spark a comeback, but the home team steadily extended their advantage, led by a determined late-quarter push that left Fenerbahçe without a credible reply. Madrid’s accuracy from long range and their timely drives created a decisive gap as the clock wound down, leaving the Turkish side short of options to close the gap on the scoreboard.
Inside the paint, Motley and Booker tried to close the interior lanes, while Calathes kept firing from outside, but the Turkish outfit failed to regain the momentum needed to erase the deficit. As the minutes ticked away, Madrid’s depth became evident, with players like Williams-Goss and Lull contributing when called upon, ensuring a well-rounded team performance that met the team’s strategic goals for the night and prepared them for the road ahead toward Kaunas.
In the final stages, Poirier delivered a strong push, and the Cape Verdean center stood tall in critical moments of the last stretch. The collective effort, including timely defense by Rudy and Hanga, sealed the win and underscored Real Madrid’s readiness for the forthcoming challenges on the European stage. The victory not only confirms the team’s progress in the current campaign but also reinforces its status as a formidable force heading toward the Final Four opportunity in Kaunas.
Data sheet
–Conclusion: Real Madrid, 90 – Fenerbahçe, 75. (49-44 at halftime).
Real Madrid: Hanga (11), Musa (16), Deck (6), Yabusele (9), and Tavares (4) – starting five; Hezonja (10), Sergio Rodríguez (5), Rudy Fernández (9), Poirier (11), Cornelie (9).
Fenerbahçe: Calathes (12), Guduric (10), Hayes-Davis (17), Motley (6) and Booker (9) – top five; Dorsey (6), Bjelica (-), Jekiri (6), Biberovic (7), Edwards (2), Hazer (-), Akpinar.
–Partial: 24-21, 25-23, 19-14, 22-17.
–Referees: Radovic, Vilius and Nedovic. Noted for their officiating decisions this evening.
–Pavilion: WiZink Center, capacity 9,523.