Score Duel: Hanga and Leday
Real Madrid remains fearless in pressure-packed moments, turning intense challenges into opportunities. In Belgrade, a city closed in mourning, the white team delivered once again, edging ahead to secure their second consecutive win and leaving the series at 2-2. The fifth and decisive game will determine Barcelona’s opponent in the semifinals and is set to be played at WiZink Center.
The series rests on a single, telling image in the arena’s program. Each game sparks a debate, a minute of silence followed by reflection for the victims of the Belgrade center attack. The second clash carried the weight of the tragedy, with the Stark Arena filling up with white roses and a crowd moved by the memory of those lost. The atmosphere was palpable as players wore the moment like a badge of honor and responsibility.
Belgrade’s Night of Personalities: Tavares Shines
From the opening jump, Partizan and Real Madrid offered a vivid basketball duel. Chus Mateo’s squad started strong, with Lessort rejoining the top five, and WiZink’s disciplined response to a prior incident leaving the court with a charged energy. Dzanan Musa made an immediate impact, his series trending upward, but the tempo and resilience centered on Tavares, whose health and presence influenced the game. Real Madrid’s disciplined defense forced a timeout from Obradovic after the visitors jumped to a 7-14 lead.
Partizan answered with stubborn defense, but Madrid found clean looks from three thanks to Hanga, who hit all three attempts from beyond the arc. Real Madrid pressed the defense aggressively and found a rhythm that pushed the score to a convincing 15-27 at the end of the first period. The team looked cohesive, their togetherness evident in every possession.
Belgrade Celebrates Tavares and the Team’s Grit
The game drifted a bit, lacking a steady rhythm, yet its significance never wavered. Tavares, fighting through physical strain, remained a constant threat on the floor. Belgrade’s fans honored Cape Verde’s standout with loud showings, but the opposing team’s patience and free-throw opportunities gave them a chance to stay in the contest. Randolph stepped up with a timely 32-34 triple on the scoreboard, complicating the Spanish coach’s plans and prompting a tactical adjustment during a timeout with his best weapon ready for the challenge.
Gaby Deck’s suspension added another twist, as Madrid faced a wave of energy from the stands that could lift or burden the team. The moment demanded psychological poise as Partizan seized a rare lead and forced Mateo to rethink his approach.
Serbian Comeback and the Crowd’s Chorus
Leday’s precision tightened the score to 39-40, forcing Madrid to call a timeout. Like the first quarter, the second concluded with a tight basket, leaving the scoreboard at 42-45 in Madrid’s favor at halftime. Hanga’s performance drew attention: a 15-point contribution and a PIR of 17 highlighted his growing impact. He stressed the importance of reclaiming rebounding battles, a key to Madrid’s defensive credibility that night.
The Stark Arena crowd roared back as the home team pressed, and Obradović pushed for a bold run to flip the script over Belgrade’s skies. Yet Partizan’s persistent defense kept Madrid honest, with Exum’s early attempts to widen the gap meeting resistance as fouls and contested calls added to the tension that simmered through the night.
Tavares Steady, Nunnally Struggles
Andjusic found a temporary edge for Partizan at 51-49, fueled by Tavares drawing fouls on the opposing defense. Deck stepped in during the final stretch of the third, helping Madrid extend to 55-61 as the period closed. The absence of a prolific scorer on the floor tested Real Madrid, yet Leday carried a resilient next-step for Partizan to stay competitive.
With Chacho Rodríguez directing the offense, Madrid moved the ball with purpose, creating opportunities and seven assists that kept them ahead. Deck’s leadership and ambition stood out as one of Madrid’s most trustworthy assets. A late foul by Leday sidelined him, and the scoreline read 74-78 as the final period began. The night’s physical toll was clear on every player’s face—Madrid’s resilience rewarded with a hard-earned advantage.
The clash underlined how quickly serial momentum can shift. Madrid’s defense and shooting rhythm wavered at moments, allowing Partizan to narrow the gap as Nunnally and Exum found less inspiration in the second half. Madar’s craft helped Goss stay scoreless for stretches, keeping Partizan’s hopes alive until a late surge by Madrid closed the door at 78-85, extinguishing the home crowd’s spark and sealing the result with a hard-won victory for Real Madrid.