Real Madrid showcased a well-rounded performance as five players surpassed ten points and combined for 26 assists, securing a victory over a determined Tel Aviv Maccabi squad. The Spanish club, hosting in Madrid, welcomed a challenging visitor who had not tasted success at the WiZink Center since the 2009-2010 campaign. Still, Real Madrid carried confidence, aiming to erase the sting of a recent league defeat and return to their home court with tempo and enthusiasm.
Early momentum came from Mario Hezonja and Facundo Campazzo, who hit back-to-back three-pointers to spark an 8-2 run. Maccabi responded with exterior raids, trading baskets from the three-point line for the opening minutes until Baldwin and Colson ignited a blaze that would fade before the end of the first quarter. By the 10th minute the scoreboard read 29-18 in favor of Real Madrid, signaling a strong start with the home team dictating pace.
The match carried on with intensity, as Baldwin found life on the court again and helped Maccabi to a sharper offensive burst. Sergio Rodriguez answered with a timely triple and a pair of free throws, helping Real Madrid build a comfortable edge by the middle of the game. The first half closed with Madrid ahead, though Tel Aviv kept hope alive thanks to a sturdy second quarter that kept the score relatively tight at 52-45 as the teams headed to the locker rooms.
Chus Mateo surprised observers by benching the usual starting lineup for Fabien Causeur, a move that injected boundless energy into the Spanish squad. The fresh energy translated into a flurry of points that threatened to swing the balance as Maccabi pressed to reclaim the lead. In those pivotal moments, Hezonja and Rodriguez answered with decisive shots, restoring a measure of control and keeping the visitors at bay as the third period ended with Madrid clinging to a narrow margin.
The contest grew frenetic as the fourth quarter began, with Tel Aviv executing a spirited push that nearly tipped the scales in their favor. Roman Sorkin briefly joined the scoring on the Tel Aviv side, and the visitors surged to look like they might overtake the home team. Yet Hezonja and Rodriguez refused to surrender the initiative, cashing in two key three-pointers to prevent Madrid from slipping and paving the way for a hard-earned finish.
With the outcome still in question, Real Madrid tightened its defense and leaned on its experience. Baldwin, Colson and Webb III carried a significant load for Tel Aviv throughout the night, but Madrid’s collective resilience shone through in the closing minutes. The team converted enough plays to seal the win, a 106-101 final that reflected the visitors’ stubbornness and Real Madrid’s insistence on finishing strong.
Lineups and scoring summaries highlighted Madrid’s depth: Campazzo led the squad with double-digit points alongside Deck, Hezonja, Poirier, Musa, and Yabusele, while a supportive cast contributed across the board. Tel Aviv’s attack was paced by Baldwin and Colson, who combined for a substantial portion of the points, with Sorkin and Webb III also contributing meaningful baskets. Refs and officials managed a competitive game in front of a robust crowd, with Euroleague action continuing to captivate fans in Madrid.
The game served as a reminder of Real Madrid’s ability to blend disciplined team play with momentary flashes of individual brilliance. It underscored how a balanced rotation, timely defensive stops, and a steady offensive rhythm can prevail in a tightly contested Euroleague night. The result reinforced the club’s position in the standings and offered a blueprint for future clashes on home floor and beyond. The match added another chapter to the ongoing narrative of European basketball, where seasoned players and rising stars alike shape tense, exciting contests. Attribution: Euroleague game recap and on-court observations provide the framework for this summary.
Final statistics reflected a close contest: Real Madrid finished with a quartet of double-digit scorers, a handful of key assists, and a handful of pivotal defensive plays that kept Tel Aviv within striking distance until the final buzzer. The hosts’ 106 points contrasted with Tel Aviv’s 101, illustrating a contest that swung on the balance of small advantages, composure after runs, and the ability to close out a high-stakes game on home soil. Overall, the night highlighted Madrid’s depth and experience in a league defined by skillful coaching, relentless energy, and an ever-present demand for excellence. Citations confirm the narrative and provide context for the observed performances from this Euroleague encounter.