Real Madrid tightened their grip on the Endesa League standings this Sunday, rising as the sole leader after a seventh straight win. A 74-93 victory over Girona, who had shared the top spot until today, underscored the visitors’ stronger efficiency with a noticeable gap in field-goal percentage: 45% for Madrid against 26% for Girona (6/23).
Chus Mateo’s squad, with Musa posting 14 points, Yabusele 13, and Hezonja 12, along with Campazzo and Poirier registering 19 PIR apiece, never let Girona, led by Marc Gasol and coached by Salva Camps, breathe easy. The match stayed in Madrid’s hands from the opening minutes and remained out of reach, sealing Girona’s latest defeat in a challenging season. The local performance also shone with Iroegbu delivering an exceptional night for Girona, finishing as the top scorer and the standout in efficiency with 17 points and a 24 rating.
Markel Brown’s debut
Girona began with a 4-0 burst, injecting early intensity into what fans hoped would echo the excitement of the opening days. Madrid answered swiftly, flipping the script to a 0-7 run and then 5-10 on the scoreboard. The first ten minutes were a high-paced affair, with both sides pressing hard and committing turnovers—four apiece—while Madrid found momentum in the paint and on the break. Girona’s early rhythm was tempered by Madrid’s efficiency, who finished the period shooting at 44% overall to Girona’s 39% and showcased a knack for converting on fast breaks.
Madrid stretched its advantage to seven in the first quarter as Markel Brown, a welcome addition making his debut, aimed to make an impact after battling injury. Brown’s night began with a rough stretch from beyond the arc, missing his first five triples, before settling in as the hosts extended their lead. Iroegbu hit the seventh shot of the night for Girona, and Ndiaye closed the frame with a triple to trim the deficit just before the end of the first period.
The second period opened with an alley-oop from Rodríguez to Poirier, followed by two more triples from Hezonja and Ndiaye. Madrid’s lead grew to 13 points, as Girona crawled through a drought that lasted into the early minutes of the second frame. Girona’s scoring drought was punctuated by Madrid’s disciplined offense and sharper shooting, leaving the visitors with work to do to reinsert themselves into the game.
Duel is on the way
Madrid continued to press the tempo after the break, widening the gap steadily. Hezonja delivered a triple to move Madrid to 20-34, then Yabusele followed with another three for a 17-point cushion. A late surge by the French forward pushed the lead beyond 20, and Girona faced a monumental task to close the distance. Madrid’s defensive pressure clamped down, while their offense kept finding clean looks from the perimeter, sealing the half with a comfortable margin. Girona’s trio of threats, including Èric Vila, found it difficult to convert, contributing to a sub-30 percent shooting half for the home team’s opponent.
Real Madrid carried a commanding 28-45 advantage into the third period, a tally built on balanced scoring and strong outside shooting. Madrid’s precision from long range in the latter stages of the second quarter and into the third extended the lead further, and Ndiaye joined the party with a trio of timely baskets as the visitors tried to mount a comeback. Girona’s response faltered against a Madrid squad that was cohesive, confident, and unyielding in the face of pressure.
Final makeover
The margin continued to widen as Poirier, Musa, and Hezonja pushed the scoreline to the upper 60s and beyond. Girona, despite recognizing the mounting challenge, clawed back a few baskets with courage and persistence, but Madrid answered with unwavering composure. Musa connected from outside, and Madrid’s lead stood at 28 points at a late stage in the third quarter as Rodríguez contributed important baskets to keep the advantage comfortable. The cushion then stabilized as Madrid entered the final stretch with the score hovering well clear of Girona’s reach.
The fourth quarter saw Madrid managing minutes and rotations to maintain energy while Girona battled to reduce the differential. The home team kept their focus, resisting a late charge and securing a decisive win that was celebrated by the crowd at Fontajau as the final whistle approached. The result solidified Madrid’s status at the top of the standings, a reflection of their offensive balance and defensive discipline on a night when every rotation counted.
Data sheet
74 – Girona Basketball (17+11+24+22): Iroegbu (17), Martínez (7), Susinskas (7), Pons (7), Sorolla (6) -in the top five-; Goloman (10), Fjellerup (3), Colom (4), Vila (7), Sala (2), Brown (0), Djordjevic (4). [Citation: game sheet]
93 – Real Madrid (23+22+33+15): Campazzo (4), Abalde (8), Musa (14), Yabusele (13), Diagne (6) -in the top five-; Llull (11), Hezonja (12), Sergio Rodríguez (8), Poirier (10), Ndiaye (5), Rudy Fernández (0) and Causeur (2). [Citation: game sheet]