Through to the Copa del Rey semi-finals

Real Madrid defeated UCAM Murcia in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey 2024 and will face the winner of the game between Gran Canaria and Valencia Basket in the semi-finals (Saturday, 6:00pm CET). Chus Mateo's team, who played a great first half, took a 14-point lead, which they then defended with grit and character against the rival's persistence. Once again, the strength of the team proved definitive for the victory, embodied by Campazzo, who was vital with 9 of his 16 points in the last four minutes. He finished with 25 PIR. Deck (15 and 17), Hezonja (14 and 18) and Llull (13) were also important during the game.
In the Cup, every game is a final and both teams made that clear. The tension was palpable right from the start, with a very high physical tempo. Madrid took the initiative and imposed their attack, which was difficult for UCAM Murcia to replicate. Our team, with Campazzo omnipresent and a very distributed scoring (Deck 6, Yabusele 5, Tavares and Musa 4), scored 25 points in the first 10 minutes to 17 from their opponents, who resisted thanks to the contribution of Todorovic (7). 

Hezonja steps up 
The team from Murcia played a game based on contact and an open court, with very versatile power forwards. But our team did not lose concentration. Chus Mateo, with his continuous rotations, kept the players with a plus of intensity and, above all, consistency. Rudy was the standard-bearer of a defence that closed its rebounding well and minimised the opposition's threats, while Hezonja and Poirier picked up the baton in offence. The forward gave a recital of the basics and with 12 points (plus 4 rebounds) in the second quarter helped Madrid to raise the difference to the max (44-30) shortly before the break.
Madrid remained in control of the game until the 23rd minute with a good performance from Deck. But we began to lose stability in attack, committing turnovers that UCAM Murcia took advantage of to punish our defensive balance and score on the counterattack. Caupain and Ennis pushed their team to put them in the fight (56-53, min.27). A delicate moment which, however, had a swift response from Madrid. The team regained order at the back and Llull and Poirier led a 9-3 run (63-56, min.30).

Madrid hold on
But the game was tight. UCAM Murcia, with their drive and the success of Diagné and Sant-Ross, levelled the contest. But Madrid were reluctant to give up the lead. Up popped Llull. The captain prevented it with his three-pointers. Two more to become the tournament's all-time leading three-point scorer, surpassing Juan Carlos Navarro.

A stellar Campazzo
At 71-70, the game went into the last four minutes and it was all to be decided in the end. Madrid raised their defensive level, knew how to adapt to the contact game and Campazzo decided that this was his moment. The MVP of the Supercopa put in an apotheosic finish. He assumed leadership and made it clear why he is the best point guard in Europe. He scored nine of his team's final 13 points and provided a spectacular assist for a dunk by Deck. Madrid sealed the victory from the free throw line against a great rival today (84-79, min.40). Our 15th consecutive semi-final awaits on Saturday.

REAL MADRID-UCAM MURCIA STATISTICS