Real Madrid edged Partizan Belgrade 80-82 in a tense Euroleague playoff game, surviving to keep their series alive. The visitors faced a rocky start, surrendering 32 points in the opening quarter, yet a monster performance from Tavares (26 points, 11 rebounds) alongside a standout display from Williams-Goss (22 points) steered the Whites toward a decisive late push and extended the series to a critical game tomorrow in the Serbian capital.
The Stark Arena in Belgrade shifted into high drama as Partizan unveiled their lineup under a sky lit with moving lights and flames. The home crowd created a thunderous backdrop—an intimidating stage that challenged Real Madrid from the opening tip. The scene, with black jerseys and waving scarves, felt like a battle before the ball even touched the court. Obradović set the tone, pushing a pace that would test Madrid’s resolve.
Basketball unites people
Before the second leg in Madrid last week, both teams displayed banners declaring Basketball unites people, a message met with a chorus of whistles from the Belgrade stands. Despite the charged atmosphere, the game remained respectful, with no on-court altercations arising from the heated crowd.
Real Madrid arrived ready to contest what could be a decisive moment in a season aiming to rewrite its own history. A win would keep their hopes of lifting the trophy alive and, more importantly, maintain momentum toward the Final Four, a milestone no club has achieved under the current format since its inception. Once again, the white team faced a strong Serbian unit, even as Lessort battled inside and Kevin Punter sat out a game with a suspension, narrowing the margin for Madrid yet not erasing the possibility of a comeback.
9-0 run to start the night
The night began with a miscue for Real Madrid as Moses committed an offensive foul on Madrid’s opening possession, followed by quick fouls on Cornelie and Llull before the clock could breathe. The first basket took time to arrive, and Partizan seized the moment with a 9-0 burst that set an early tone of anxiety for the visitors. Madrid steadied, finding rhythm as Williams-Goss opened Madrid’s scoring from the free-throw line. With Cornelie stabilizing the lane and Moses contributing, the team began clawing back into a game that started with nerves, tension, and inaccuracy echoing earlier meetings in the series.
Madrid found themselves in foul trouble early, but a sequence of timely plays—Williams-Goss’s early scoring, a notable pull-up by Moses, and solid defense—pulled Madrid off the edge. Partizan’s outside shooting continued to threaten, with Smailagic delivering a 15-point performance that underscored a night where long-range precision made a big difference. The first-quarter tally finished 32-19, signaling a long, grueling night ahead for the visitors.
Tavares emerged as a force in the paint, delivering a memorable display that fans and analysts would discuss for days. A highlight captured attention on social media as he anchored Madrid’s interior game during a pivotal stretch.
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague highlights posted on social channels provided a glimpse of the height and impact of Madrid’s center, underscoring the night’s physical intensity.
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
Rhythm shifts and a bold response
The second quarter shifted momentum. Sergio Rodríguez increased Madrid’s pace, injecting speed and decisiveness into the offense, though mistakes from long range persisted. A pair of three-pointers from Rudy, combined with a strong interior contribution from Tavares, helped Madrid approach 41-31 as the clock moved through the 14-minute mark. The center’s two-plus-one play nudged Real Madrid closer to parity, 41-37, as the period progressed.
Partizan’s legs grew heavier as the half wore on, and Madar, stepping in for the suspended Punter, posted 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists before a foul trouble halted his momentum. Obradović’s expression betrayed the frustration of a coach watching a familiar script tilt against his team as the Serbians saw their percentages dip while Tavares asserted control on both ends, totaling 16 points and seven rebounds at the half.
Hezonja’s timely return and a contest of grit
Madrid carried momentum into the third period, thanks to Hezonja’s two timely threes and a continued push from Williams-Goss. The score moved to 53-54 in a back-and-forth that kept the outcome uncertain. Obradović pressed for extra effort from Tavares, and his leadership in the paint helped blunt Madrid’s early offensive pressure. Hezonja and Williams-Goss continued to drive the guests, with a sequence featuring a dynamic dunk from Tavares standing in contrast to Musa’s longer-range misses. As the final frame approached, the game settled into a tight duel—63-66 on the board with both teams trading blows.
Fatigue surfaced, and the finale unfolded with tough decisions and missed chances. The intensity remained high as Moses delivered several plays, while Madrid searched for a decisive strike that could turn a difficult evening into a triumph. Partizan retained one final possession with a chance to win, but Punter remained unavailable, leaving Madrid to face the next challenge on Thursday at 20:30 local time. The aim stayed clear: seize control at Stark Arena and prevent another poor outcome from staining the series slate.
Data from the night shows a balanced scoring table with Real Madrid’s top scorers including Williams-Goss and Tavares, while Partizan leaned on Smailagic and Madar to keep the scoreboard moving. The referees, Ryzhyk, Difallah, and Moğulkoç, oversaw a game that lived up to the playoff atmosphere, with Madar’s late exit due to fouls marking a decisive moment in the closing minutes.
Event notes remind fans that this Euroleague playoff game drew a crowd of around 20,000 at the Stark Arena, and the banners stating Basketball unites people served as a thematic reminder of the competition’s broader spirit. The result left Real Madrid clinging to life in the series, with a critical rematch on the horizon that will determine whether the team can push deeper into the playoffs or bow out at the doorstep of the Final Four.