Real Madrid returned to the path of success by overcoming Surne Bilbao Basket 95-80 in a commanding display that left little doubt about their superiority. From the opening minutes, the white team controlled the tempo, never allowing the visitors to pull closer than seven points as they built a 6-0 start and maintained momentum throughout the clash.
Relating to
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Ponsarnau: “Some players struggled to grasp the game plan.”
The match unfolded in a context that was unusual for the season. Real Madrid had not suffered back-to-back losses in the past week, after setbacks in Murcia and Monaco, making this victory, achieved without pressing necessity, an important moment to reconnect with confidence and rhythm.
The game also reflected the home side’s form and regional pride. A widely followed league fixture delivered a statement win, lifting the mood around the WiZink Center and offering a clear signal of the team’s resilience and depth.
From Córdoba, Argentina, this bout added another page to the Liga Endesa narrative. The day’s action contributed to the season’s unfolding drama as teams jockey for position in the standings. The game was broadcast with commentary highlighting the intensity and strategic contrasts between the two rosters.
Chus Mateo pushed the squad to press the tempo against Bilbao’s counter-attacks, opening with a 10-0 run that set the tone. Bilbao found some relief through outside shooting, with Adam Smith and Thijs De Ridder capitalizing on quick triples to keep the score tight early on (13-6, minute 5). The visitors’ accurate perimeter scoring kept the guests within striking distance for a stretch, even as Real Madrid pushed back with a robust defensive stance and efficient ball movement.
For a while, Bilbao battled to secure offensive rebounds while Madrid managed to translate pressure into points. The first quarter saw a sequence where Bilbao could not grab a key offensive rebound, yet a late surge by the visitors trimmed the gap and prompted the home team to reassert control. By the end of the opening period, Real Madrid held a modest lead, but the balance could have shifted under different circumstances.
In the second period, the pattern persisted. The home team attempted to widen the margin, but Bilbao remained competitive, trading baskets and challenging Madrid’s defense. Guerschon Yabusele helped steady matters with a pivotal stretch that prevented the visitors from gaining momentum. Yet it took seven minutes for Bilbao to register their first two baskets, underscoring Madrid’s discipline in defending without fouling and maintaining pace on the offense end. The half concluded with Real Madrid ahead by a comfortable margin, yet not fully resolved as a contest.
As the game resumed after halftime, the atmosphere at the WiZink Center grew electric. Dzanan Musa contributed nine points while Kristian Kullamae brought energy on both ends, showing a blend of offensive flair and defensive reliability that supported the broader team plan. Kullamae’s presence helped Madrid maintain balance, with the defense catching more solidly than in earlier phases and the offense showing fresh movement without sacrificing spacing.
With the arena buzzing, Madrid extended its advantage as the third period wore on. A highlight reel moment came when Yabusele crashed to the rim for a powerful dunk, followed by a crisp alley-oop finish from Sergio Rodríguez to Vincent Poirier that electrified the crowd and underscored the team’s synergy. By the end of the third frame, Madrid’s lead had stretched, providing a cushion heading into the final quarter.
The finish line approached with Madrid in control. Bilbao showed heart, attempting a late rally, and the young Hugo González—an emergent talent known for his previous rise to prominence—received applause as he received more court time. The last stretch served as a showcase for Madrid’s depth, while Bilbao continued to compete with grit and pride to the final whistle.
Final score: Real Madrid 95, Surne Bilbao Basket 80. The starting five for Madrid — Campazzo, Deck, Yabusele, Abalde, Ndiaye — contributed solidly, supported by Fernández, Hezonja, Rodríguez, Musa, Poirier, Alocén, and Hugo González. For Bilbao, Pantzar, Adam Smith, De Ridder, Kullamae, Hlinason and Renfroe anchored the effort with relevant contributions, while Killeya-Jones also saw minutes as part of a broader rotation. The three referees overseeing the game were present to ensure a fair and competitive environment, with 8,122 spectators watching the action at the arena as the 19th round of the Endesa League unfolded.