Valencia Basket faced a high pressure game on a Tuesday night, pushed by the home crowd and a first quarter that sparkled with early offense. Brandon Davies led the charge, challenging a stubborn Real Madrid defense and forcing the pace with meaty forays to the basket. Madrid answered from the edge with Facundo Campazzo easing into rhythm and delivering four points in the final minute as the visitors edged ahead to a 73-76 finale.
From the opening minutes, Valencia made a strong statement. Walter Tavares opened the season strong, but Brandon Davies carried the attack for the home team, creating opportunities and prompting the Cape Verdean center to extend his own defense. Davies used his range and physicality to test the Madrid defense, landing several tough shots and even a half hook with a bite of defiance that set the tone for the night.
Early on, Valencia showed confidence as they built a rapid rhythm. The home side converted eight of nine attempts in the first stanza, catching fire and pushing the tempo. Their collective scoring surge helped Valencia to post eighteen points in the quarter and handed Fonteta a surge of energy that steadied the team. Damien Inglis contributed with timely baskets, while Madrid found themselves chasing as the score ticked toward 26-24 in favor of Valencia at the period break.
The second unit for Valencia maintained their intensity, feeding off the atmosphere and keeping the pressure on Real Madrid. Stefan Jovic’s distribution and Sergio Rodríguez’s leadership elevated the local offense, inspiring a surge that allowed Valencia to widen the gap to 37-29 as the clock moved into the middle of the quarter. Chus Mateo responded by returning Campazzo to the floor, re-centering Madrid’s attack and injecting experience into the lineup.
Campazzo harnessed the moment with a spark that helped Madrid find traction. Davies returned for Valencia to stabilize his team, but the late seconds of the half swung momentum in Madrid’s favor when Semi Ojale connected on a crucial shot. The crowd’s energy amplified as Chris Jones nailed a buzzer-beater to give Valencia a 49-43 lead at the break.
At the start of the third quarter, Mateo drew on Fabien Causeur, whose unexpected two-way impact helped Madrid erase the deficit. Causeur’s swift decision-making and accurate shooting helped Madrid climb back into contention, but Valencia remained stubborn, with Dzan Musa adding support and keeping the home team within striking distance as Madrid pressed forward. The scoreline moved to 57-60 as the quarter neared its end, signaling a tense final period ahead.
In a game where the venue pressed hard and the atmosphere intensified, Valencia’s second unit clamped down and kept the match from slipping away. Yet Madrid carried a sense of urgency into the last frame, where their offense found a smoother rhythm, centered on the penetrating drives of Tavares and the orchestration of Rodríguez. A slight scare arose when Madrid’s coach sent his bench for a moment after a right knee blow created a pause, but the action quickly resumed with barely any disruption. The score stood 66-67 as the final period began to decide the outcome.
The closing minutes proved decisive. Chris Jones kept Valencia in the hunt with clutch scores, while Mario Hezonja offered valuable support for the visitors. Then Campazzo took over. In a bold late push, he delivered a decisive sequence that put Madrid ahead with thirty seconds remaining. A rare turnover by Jones and a late Ingles response could not derail the Argentine, who sealed the result with two crucial free throws as Madrid hung on for a 73-76 victory. The win reflected a balanced team effort and a late game execution that mattered most in a tightly contested Euroleague clash.
Data sheet reveals a balanced scoring distribution. Valencia Basket featured Davies with 22 points and Inglis adding 12, with Jovic contributing 4 and Touré and Ojeleye adding several important minutes. Real Madrid leaned on Campazzo with 15 points, Deck with 17, Musa with 10, and Tavares chipping in six. The game, part of the Euroleague regular season, drew a crowd of roughly eight thousand into Fonteta, where the atmosphere underscored the significance of every possession in this challenging league season.
Referees for the encounter were Radovic from Croatia, Laurinavicius from Lithuania, and Halliko from Estonia. The match offered a vivid illustration of Euroleague competitiveness, with both teams trading blows and showcasing character in a venue known for its passionate supporters and relentless pace. The outcome reinforced Real Madrid’s resolve, while Valencia demonstrated resilience and a fighting spirit that should bode well for the rest of the campaign. This clash serves as a reminder that in European basketball, outcomes can pivot on small margins, late-game execution, and the leaders who can swing momentum when it matters most. Attribution: Euroleague competition coverage and official box score.