Defeat against Zalgiris

Real Madrid were unable to secure a win over Zalgiris Kaunas in the fifteenth round of the Euroleague. In the first quarter both teams alternated in control of the game. Our team, more consistent in scoring with Campazzo and Tavares carrying the offensive responsibility, faced a Zalgiris team led by Walker IV and, to a lesser extent, Manek. Six three-pointers from the Lithuanians and a 5-0 run in their favour in the final moments of the opening period broke the deadlock (19-24, min. 10).

Madrid started off defending well in the second quarter, but paid dearly for their lapses and their lack of success from the free throw line. A three-pointer from Llull made it 26-28 at the 14' mark. However, over the next three minutes, the Whites were on the wrong end of a 0-15 run. It was Llull who pulled our team back into the game with 9 almost consecutive points, but between Zalgiris' confidence in attack and the disparity in the referee's criteria, who punished Madrid with an unsporting foul and two technical fouls, the difference remained until half-time (38-54).

If Madrid wanted to get back into the game, they would have to rectify their defensive issues. And they came out determined to do so, with more energy and aggressiveness. Within four minutes they had Zalgiris within one point (the result of the second technical on Chus Mateo, who was thrown out) and reduced the deficit to 9 points with a three-pointer from Abalde. Another technical foul to the bench, the fourth time the referees blew the whistle against Real Madrid, stopped the team's upward momentum once again, but our team continued to insist, with Musa stepping up to take it to 58-66 in the 28th minute. But Manek and Francisco were determined not to surrender the lead (60-72, min. 30).

Lack of continuity

Bradzeikis complicated matters further by pushing Zalgiris' lead to 18 points at the start of the final quarter. Madrid did not give up, but luck was not on their side either and a good defence was not followed by good offence, with several misses from three-point range. The Lithuanian side remained solid and took the win 83-92.

REAL MADRID-ZALGIRIS KAUNAS STATISTICS