Real Madrid again needed extra time to seal a Euroleague win at WiZink Center, this time against Valencia Basket with a 96-86 final score. Valencia had visited the same venue in league play less than a fortnight earlier and walked away with momentum, pressuring Madrid to dig deep once more.
Missing Semi Ojeleye and Kevin Pangos but maintaining their defensive backbone, Valencia opened in a way that produced a cautious pace. The opening five minutes saw both teams struggle to score, with just 14 points conceded in that stretch. Valencia found its rhythm from beyond the arc, mounting an eight-point lead by the end of the first period as the scoreboard read 16-24, at the ten-minute mark.
The home side struggled to punch back in the paint as Álex Mumbrú’s guests stretched the floor and forced Madrid to search for answers far from the rim. Madrid managed only one basket during a five-minute spell, a rough stretch that underscored one of their more austere halves in Euroleague play this season, leaving the score at 35-38 as the teams headed to the break.
Facundo Campazzo and the squad demonstrated resilience in the second half. A delayed start due to a clock issue did not stop the action, and Campazzo along with Chris Jones opened with two quick three-pointers in three minutes. Dzanan Musa ignited a pivotal 2+1 sequence, reclaiming the lead for Real Madrid for the first time since the early exchanges, at 46-43 with 5:25 remaining in the third period.
Valencia did not yield easily. They responded with a 0-5 run that tested Madrid’s resolve, but the hosts found balance as Campazzo and Walter Tavares carried heavier workloads in the absence of Vincent Poirier, nudging the score to 58-55 by the end of the third quarter.
The visitors leaned on a steady rhythm from the outside to build a lead, with two baskets apiece from Brandon Davis, Josep Puerto, and Stefan Jovic providing a late push. Valencia still clung to a 64-67 edge late in the game, as Llull and Sergios Rodríguez hit timely three-pointers to keep Madrid close in the final moments of regulation.
In game-critical moments, Justin Anderson delivered a display of power against the Madrid interior, a reminder of Valencia’s physical approach. His highlight moment, supported by teammates, underscored the threat Madrid faced as the clock wound down. The talking points continued as Mario Hezonja joined the fray, converting a three-point play to push the score toward a decisive finish. With 3:22 remaining, the teams were deadlocked at 70-70, a result that felt poised to swing either way. A timeout followed, and momentum shifted as the heroes for Madrid and Valencia cycled through late-game plays.
The final few minutes produced a tense stretch. Jones briefly nudged Valencia ahead with a late surge, but Campazzo answered from outside and Tavares came within reach of sealing the win, missing only at the rim. Valencia reclaimed the lead with just four seconds left on the clock thanks to two free throws by Jones. Hezonja responded with a long-range strike of his own, tying the game and forcing overtime in a dramatic finish to regulation. Real Madrid finished the Euroleague’s pair of European games in strong fashion, finishing fifth across their last two continental outings.
In the extra period, the Madrid side classed up the closing minutes with decisive baskets. The hosts broke Valencia’s resistance, sealing a deserved win amid a display of balanced scoring and steady defense. The victory marked a step forward as Real Madrid navigated the Euroleague’s demanding schedule for the season. [Source: Euroleague overview]
Finally, in a postgame message, the team recognized the night’s effort: the squad’s resilience defined a match that tested both sides’ stamina and execution. The joy in the stands reflected a broader narrative of the season, where Real Madrid continues to push through the difficult stretches with steady leadership across positions. [Source: Team recap]
Data sheet
96 – Real Madrid (16+19+23+24+14): Campazzo (19), Causeur (3), Musa (13), Yabusele (7), Tavares (18) -starting team-, Alocén (-), Hezonja (10), Abalde (3), Llull (16), Ndiaye (2), Sergio Rodríguez (5).
86 – Valencia Basket (24+16+15+27+4): Jones (17), Reuvers (2), Anderson (9), Harper (8), Touré (-) -five starts-, Puerto (6), Davies (19), Pradilla (6), Inglis (8), Jovic (eleven).
Referees: Robert Lottermoser (Germany), Milos Koljensic (Montenegro) and Uros Nikolic (Serbia).
Events: The 21st match day of the Euroleague was played at WiZink Center in front of 8,264 spectators. In the preview, Sergio Llull was given a team jersey with the number 1,047 on the back, marking his status as the club’s all-time appearance leader.