Real Madrid and Lenovo Tenerife clashed in a tightly fought showdown at the Santiago Martín Sports Pavilion, a game that swung on a late rally from the Madrid side. The hosts seized control in the final stretch, turning a balanced contest into a decisive victory for the men in white as the clock wound down, finishing 80-67. The Madrid squad displayed renewed intent in the last ten minutes, turning the tides with relentless defensive pressure and efficient scoring from the perimeter and in the paint.
The Tenerife squad started strong, finding early confidence with a 5-0 burst, but Madrid answered with discipline on defense and smart shot selection. Chus Mateo, looking to neutralize Tenerife’s work rate, implemented a plan that limited open looks and forced misses, a strategy that gradually paid off as the game progressed. The rhythm shifted as Real Madrid tightened the gaps, forcing crucial misses while converting key possessions into points on the other end.
On the floor, the Madrid defense refused to loosen its grip. The plan centered on shutting down secondary options for Tenerife and turning individual stops into fast-break opportunities. Inside presence from a towering defensive anchor helped blur the lines for Tenerife, suppressing drives and contesting shots at the rim. The result was a game that remained tight until the final minutes, with Real Madrid maintaining a slight edge thanks to disciplined rotations and timely blocks and rebounds.
In the offensive phase, Madrid capitalized on the efforts of Cornelie and Hezonja in the closing period, whose baskets punctuated Madrid’s scoring run. Their timely contributions, coupled with strong execution from the rest of the rotation, kept Tenerife at bay and prevented the island team from reentering a favorable rhythm. Real Madrid looked poised, ensuring that every offensive possession carried weight and converting opportunities when Tenerife offered them up.
Lenovo Tenerife opened with momentum, but Madrid quickly adjusted. The visitors found it difficult to sustain long-distance success and faced challenges in penetrating the interior defense. The Madrid coaching staff repeatedly emphasized pressure on the ball and disciplined help defense, creating a tighter framework that Tenerife struggled to dismantle. As the game progressed, the white squad’s defense stifled Tenerife’s efforts, and the home team gradually exploited mismatches when they appeared, extending the lead at critical junctures.
During the middle stages, a notable exchange highlighted the tactical chess match between the two coaches. Tenerife tried to maintain its defensive intensity while searching for secondary scoring. Real Madrid, meanwhile, balanced its approach, leaning on efficient spacing and patient ball movement to find open looks. The match remained a contest of small advantages, each side trading punches while the period drew to a close with Madrid slightly ahead on the scoreboard.
As the first half concluded, Real Madrid had shown resolve, entering the second half with a measured, composed approach. They understood the need to remain within striking distance and then pounce with precision. Tenerife, true to form, fought hard to disrupt the rhythm, using fights and scraps to claw back, yet the Madrid defense stayed vigilant, compressing passing lanes and contesting shots late in the shot clock.
The third quarter brought a sharper focus on defense from Real Madrid, who centralized their efforts around limiting Tenerife’s primary ball handlers and closing down attempts to catch the defense off balance. The effort paid dividends as Madrid began to widen the gap, converting defensive stops into quick scores. The ball found Cornelie and Hezonja in pivotal moments, delivering baskets that pushed Madrid’s lead to a more comfortable margin as the period wore on.
With the game entering its final minutes, Real Madrid solidified its advantage by staying aggressive while maintaining a compact defensive stance. Tenerife pressed, but Madrid’s execution under pressure proved to be the difference. A sustained push through the closing minutes ensured that the gap remained for the rest of the game, providing the Madrid side with a sense of control and momentum as the clock ticked down to the final buzzer.
Data sheet
67 – Lenovo Tenerife (15+16+14+22). Fitipaldo (14), Salin (5), Sastre (3), Doornekamp (3), Guerra (4) -initial-, Shermadini (10), Huertas (9), Cook (-), Abromaitis (15) and Fernández (4).
80 – Real Madrid (16+22+12+30). Rodríguez (2), Abalde (5), Moses (11), Yabusele (6), Tavares (10) -first-, William-Goss (11), Causeur (6), Hezonja (15), Poirier (3), Cornelie (11), Llull (-) and Ndiaye (-).
referees: Jimenez, Serrano and Sanchez. The match showcased the high level of officiating and the constant attention to player safety and fair play. The Santiago Martín Sports Pavilion hosted an event that drew enthusiastic support from more than five thousand fans, who witnessed a competitive clash between two teams committed to a high standard of basketball.