130-126: Madrid win a historic match after four overtimes

Real Madrid gave their fans the first victory of 2024 on Epiphany night. And it was not just another victory. It came against Anadolu Efes in a spectacular and historic game, which was settled in the fourth overtime (a Euroleague record). Our team had stellar performances from Musa (40 points and 46 PIR), Hezonja (31 points), Tavares (35 PIR) and Campazzo (25 points and 30 PIR), and added their 17th win after coming back from 9 points down in the last 2 minutes of the second overtime, in which they drew on their pride and tied a game that seemed lost. A last-second basket by Hezonja took the game into the third overtime, where the tie continued. In the fourth overtime, the Bosnian and Croatian emerged to seal a memorable victory.

The WiZink Center hosted its first game of the year on the eve of the Epiphany. In this atmosphere, Madrid felt more comfortable in the early stages with Musa, 6 points, leading a 10-2 run. Efes gradually got into the rhythm of the game, but the home side soon got into their stride through the Tavares-Hezonja duo. The former doing a lot of damage inside and the latter demonstrating his versatility on all sides of the court (5 points and 4 rebounds). This gave Chus Mateo's team a +7 lead at the end of the first quarter (25-18).

Equanimity on court

Yabusele returned to the court 49 days after his injury and Larkin took centre stage to lead a 0-7 run and tie the game (12'). The offensive rebounding was giving wings to the Turkish team, along with Madrid's poor three-point shooting. This meant that equanimity was the keynote in the second quarter. The score was 33-33 for almost two minutes, but Real Madrid went into the break ahead (38-36) thanks to a three-pointer by Hezonja and another basket by Musa (10 points).
Efes stepped up a gear and went on a 0-8 run after the break. Things were not working out for our team and the Turkish side took advantage of this to go 9 points up (42-51). Madrid reacted little by little, being more aggressive on the rebound. Musa and Hezonja were the leaders of the local push to forge a 10-0 run and level the score (53-53, min. 27). The pace increased with an exchange of blows. The Bosnian continued to score non-stop (23 points) and led his team's comeback in the third quarter (64-61).

Heart-stopping minutes

The score was level on the scoreboard, and defensive accuracy and concentration were going to be decisive. Efes had a small lead with three minutes to go, but our team showed pride and grit to reduce the deficit. Hezonja sustained the attack from the perimeter. But when everything seemed to be going in their opponents' favour, a three-pointer from Musa set the pavilion on fire to make it 79-79 at 39'. The last minute was to be heart-stopping and ended 81-81 to go to the first overtime.
With the crowd in full support, Tavares, Campazzo and Hezonja managed to make it +4 at the start of the first overtime. However, Larkin burst in to level the game by scoring four points in quick succession. The referees punished Madrid with two technical fouls in a row and the game went to a tight 90-89 (44'). Everything was to be decided again at the end. Larkin made it 91-91 with 8 seconds to go. The last attack was for our team, but Hezonja didn't manage the three-pointer and the game went into its second overtime.

Inspirational three-pointers from Larkin and Pleiss allowed Anadolu Efes to take a six-point lead (48'), which later became nine.

Madrid gave everything to achieve the impossible and a triple from Causeur made it 100-102 with 24 seconds left. The madness was not going to stop there because the visitors failed in their attack and with eight seconds on the clock Hezonja scored on a penetrating move at the buzzer to send a historic game into extra time (102-102).

Historic victory

What followed was an exchange of blows with three-pointers into the bargain. Larkin and Beaubois were making headway for their team, but at that moment Hezonja (21 points) appeared to make it 107-107 with two minutes to go. The atmosphere could be cut with a knife and the WiZink Center experienced one of those historic European nights. Everything was to be decided again in the final stretch. Oturu made it 109-111. Real Madrid would have the last eight seconds to tie or win. It was Tavares who, with a dunk after an assist from Campazzo, levelled the game. There would be a fourth overtime, making this the longest overtime in the history of the Euroleague.

The two most recent European champions were deep into a historic game and every play was a battle. Larkin continued his scoring streak to score 32 points, but Hezonja wanted to share the limelight (117-117, min. 58). Fatigue was becoming more and more evident and the victory was going to be decided on the side of the team that made the fewest mistakes. Musa made it 123-120 with a minute to go and Otubu put Efes one down. Hezonja popped up to score a three-pointer (31 points) and put the seal on a game that went into four overtimes, in which Real Madrid wrote a new page in European history (130-126).