98-94: A historic comeback to make the Final Four
Real Madrid and the WiZink Center deliver an epic to beat Partizan in Game 5 of the EuroLeague playoff and achieve an unprecedented feat in coming from 0-2 down.
It was a magical, historic, dramatic heroic and simply unforgettable night at the WiZink Center. Only Real Madrid are capable of these kinds of feats - they were 18 points down with 23 minutes of the fifth and final playoff game against Partizan gone, before going on an incredible run to come back and snatch victory in the series, an unprecedented exploit, to qualify for the Final Four in Kaunas. Real Madrid become the first team ever to come from 0-2 behind in a EuroLeague playoff and will now be at their ninth Final Four in the last 12 years. It was an epic battle that couldn't have ended any better, in front of our fans, who rose to the occasion once again. The whole team stepped up brilliantly, as Sergio Rodríguez was decisive in the closing stages 26 PIR. It's all set for a semi-final Clásico.
What a game we were in for, and what a start. It was a case of no holds barred from both teams, it was a final at a jam-packed Palacio. Partizan came out with a high-contact defense, especially against Tavares, who would end up with two personals inside seven minutes. Madrid matched that intensity and Chus Mateo played Eli from the start, the academy graduate responding by shackling Leday, one massive block included. In fact, he was the top performer for our team in the opening quarter 4 points and 2 rebounds. The battle early on would be resolved in the paint and from the free-throw line. It was seriously close 22-23, min.10.
Maximum tension
The game was about to get tougher in the second period. Led by Punter, the Serbs began to up their numbers from the outside and take advantage of some permissive refereeing to play right on the edge. Madrid were trailing and loaded with fouls, which saw Tavares forced to the bench for three personals. There was also a technical violation against Chus Mateo the second against us, and another foul given against Eli despite him having been pushed. Despite it all, Rudy had the possession to bring us within a single point at 30-34 with 15 on the clock, but we ultimately lost the ball and allowed Partizan to stretch their lead heading into the break 39-55.
What a game we were in for, and what a start. It was a case of no holds barred from both teams, it was a final at a jam-packed Palacio. Partizan came out with a high-contact defense, especially against Tavares, who would end up with two personals inside seven minutes. Madrid matched that intensity and Chus Mateo played Eli from the start, the academy graduate responding by shackling Leday, one massive block included. In fact, he was the top performer for our team in the opening quarter 4 points and 2 rebounds. The battle early on would be resolved in the paint and from the free-throw line. It was seriously close 22-23, min.10.
Maximum tension
The game was about to get tougher in the second period. Led by Punter, the Serbs began to up their numbers from the outside and take advantage of some permissive refereeing to play right on the edge. Madrid were trailing and loaded with fouls, which saw Tavares forced to the bench for three personals. There was also a technical violation against Chus Mateo the second against us, and another foul given against Eli despite him having been pushed. Despite it all, Rudy had the possession to bring us within a single point at 30-34 with 15 on the clock, but we ultimately lost the ball and allowed Partizan to stretch their lead heading into the break 39-55.
Madrid had no margin for error now and they duly came out firing. Upping the aggression, they rediscovered their offensive spark with contributions from Hezonja, Musa and Hanga. They got back to within seven points thanks to a 10-2 run but Partizan continued to find the triple to limit our team and extend their advantage further, up to 18 points with 23 minutes gone 41-59. Chus Mateo's boys refused to let their heads drop though, and backed by a vociferous crowd in the WiZink Center, they managed to cut the deficit, before a Leday three was another tough blow to take. Then Tavares made his fourth foul 56-69, min.28.
Twelve unforgettable minutes
Madrid never give in. Their heart, this jersey and the club's DNA would not allow it. They are made of sterner stuff. What was about to happen at the Palacio has already been written into the history books. Twelve minutes in which our team gave it absolutely everything, believing valiantly in the comeback. Every man was outstanding. Sergio Rodríguez turned the game on its head in offense and dragged the team up with him. He posted 11 consecutive points in just five minutes he was the highest-rated player on 26 to help the rest of the team believe. Tavares continued to look dominant without committing the fifth foul, Hezonja helped out on the rebound and with some decisive shooting, Rudy was the leading light in defense with an incredible effort and Llull showed his very best. Five points for the captain, alongside two of his special triples, brought the Palacio to life and paved the way to victory. Pure madness! Partizan were down and out, including Punter, whose points dried up.
Party in the stands
The madridista energy flooded the WiZink Center and shrunk an incredible opponent. Madrid completed the comeback with a 39-18 run between minute 30 and 38, leaving the Serbian team with no chance. The Palacio celebrated with a chorus of “Cómo no te voy a querer” 98-94, min.40. The legend lives on. At the buzzer, our team had succeeded in an unprecedented achievement. Next up, Barça in the semis Friday, 19, 8:00pm CEST.
REAL MADRID-PARTIZAN STATISTICS
Twelve unforgettable minutes
Madrid never give in. Their heart, this jersey and the club's DNA would not allow it. They are made of sterner stuff. What was about to happen at the Palacio has already been written into the history books. Twelve minutes in which our team gave it absolutely everything, believing valiantly in the comeback. Every man was outstanding. Sergio Rodríguez turned the game on its head in offense and dragged the team up with him. He posted 11 consecutive points in just five minutes he was the highest-rated player on 26 to help the rest of the team believe. Tavares continued to look dominant without committing the fifth foul, Hezonja helped out on the rebound and with some decisive shooting, Rudy was the leading light in defense with an incredible effort and Llull showed his very best. Five points for the captain, alongside two of his special triples, brought the Palacio to life and paved the way to victory. Pure madness! Partizan were down and out, including Punter, whose points dried up.
Party in the stands
The madridista energy flooded the WiZink Center and shrunk an incredible opponent. Madrid completed the comeback with a 39-18 run between minute 30 and 38, leaving the Serbian team with no chance. The Palacio celebrated with a chorus of “Cómo no te voy a querer” 98-94, min.40. The legend lives on. At the buzzer, our team had succeeded in an unprecedented achievement. Next up, Barça in the semis Friday, 19, 8:00pm CEST.
REAL MADRID-PARTIZAN STATISTICS