Real Madrid Edges Valencia Basket as Campazzo Leads with 17 Points
Real Madrid, led by Facundo Campazzo with 17 points, closed the year strong by beating Valencia Basket and solidifying a top spot in the Endesa league standings. The victory keeps Real Madrid firmly in first place, while Valencia Basket slides to fifth with ten wins and six losses after a tough road result.
The clash opened with a flurry of action, as both teams traded early baskets. Eli Ndiaye sparked Real Madrid with a pair of early three-pointers, while Xavier López-Aróstegui answered for Valencia Basket with his own quick scoring. The rapid start sent the Wizink Center crowd into a roar and set a high tempo for the opening minutes.
The match featured a mix of timely teams plays and high-spirited defense. White uniforms took the initiative, pressing the pace and forcing several turnovers that kept Valencia from stringing together a long run. On the Madrid side, Campazzo and Edy Tavares dominated the early offense, helping Real Madrid to a tight first-half balance despite some rough free-throw moments that left the scoreboard closer than they would have liked.
Real Madrid benefitted from the playmaking lift provided by Sergio Rodríguez, whose arrival on the court reshaped the team’s rhythm. His assists helped unlock the Madrid attack around Ugandan forward Brandon Davies and Armenian guard Chris Jones, weaving together a more cohesive offensive flow as the game progressed.
While the teams remained evenly matched after the break, Real Madrid found a key spark when Semi Ojeleye buried a three-pointer that trimmed Valencia’s deficit to single digits. The Madrid defense tightened, limiting Valencia’s scoring opportunities and forcing unforced errors. The team built a fourteen-point cushion heading into the final quarter, with Alberto Abalde delivering a memorable triple that electrified the home fans.
In the fourth period, Real Madrid refused to give Valencia a chance to mount a dramatic comeback. Robertson knocked down three consecutive triples, and Ndiaye and Rodríguez connected on two more, halting Valencia’s momentum and extending the lead. The Madrid defense stood tall in the closing minutes, stifling Valencia’s attempts to attack and making it difficult for the guests to find clean looks near the basket.
As the final minutes wound down, the white squad’s discipline and defensive effort carried the game to its conclusion. Tavares continued to serve as a defensive anchor, while Madrid’s offense continued to execute with crisp ball movement and decisive shooting. The combined effect left Valencia Basket without a viable plan to breach the Madrid defense in the closing moments, sealing the win for Real Madrid.
The season’s calendar rounded out with this result, marking 15 wins and a single loss for Real Madrid. Valencia Basket, starting the match in third position, slipped to fifth with ten wins and six losses after a challenging night on the road.
Data sheet: Real Madrid finished with an 83-74 scoreline. Campazzo led the way with 17 points, followed by Ndiaye with 12, Tavares with 13, Causeur with 5, Musa with 4, Abalde with 7, Hezonja with 6, Poirier with 9, Llull with 7, and Sergio Rodríguez with 3. Valencia Basket’s scoring was highlighted by Jones with 19, López-Arostegui with 10, Ojeleye with 7, Davies with 10, and Robertson with 10. The starting lineups included the usual rotation for both sides. The matchup occurred during the 16th game day of the Endesa League, with 9,640 spectators in attendance at the Wizink Center in Madrid. Referees were Benjamin Jiménez, Alfonso Olivares, and Roberto Lucas. The night captured a dynamic clash that showcased Real Madrid’s depth and defensive resilience as the year closed out.