Madrid wins Euroleague Clasico in double overtime

Real Madrid won a heart-stopping Clasico, their second of the season, on their visit to the Palau in the 12th round of the Euroleague. The Whites pulled off another epic performance and put in an immeasurable effort to seal their sixth EuroLeague victory. Campazzo, who had 18 points and 10 assists for 32 PIR, forced overtime with a three-pointer with two seconds left. It took two overtimes to decide the winner. It was then that Chus Mateo's team showed their grit and went the extra yard, led by a spectacular Tavares in both overtimes. The Cape Verdean centre finished with 24 points, 18 rebounds and 39 PIR. Hezonja also stood out (23 points, 15 of them in the third quarter).

Real Madrid came out much better, entering the Palau with very clear ideas: very aggressive in defence, finding good shots thanks to Campazzo and with Tavares making his presence felt in the paint. Rathan-Mayes was effective in attack and the Whites built up an eight-point lead in the sixth minute (6-14). Barça's response was immediate, and they found their best asset in Vesely. The Czech scored four consecutive baskets and led an 8-3 run. It was Chus Mateo's men, withstanding the onslaught, who won the first quarter (17-22).

Parity at the Palau
The home side managed to turn the deficit around with a 7-0 lead thanks to a fast and choral game. But the madridistas hit back in just one minute with another 7-0 run. Chus Mateo put Campazzo back on the court, and Tavares led the Whites to 31-32 (min. 16). However, in the final minutes of the second quarter, Vesely appeared again on both sides of the court to put his side ahead before the break (38-34).

The aggressiveness of both teams' defences came to the fore after the break. Both teams‘ scoring slowed down and the fight under the basket was intense (23’). It was at this point that Hezonja's best minutes followed, and he became the spearhead of the visitors' attack. The Croatian's 12 practically consecutive points, together with a very serious defence, gave our team wings (45-46; min. 26). Seeing the bloodletting, Peñarroya put in a much more physical line-up. It did not have the expected effect because Hezonja capped a perfect third quarter with 15 points (52-54).

Campazzo forces extra time hitting heroic three-pointer
There was nothing between the two teams as the Whites relied on their success in the three-pointer thanks to Llull and Abalde, while the home side played a more physical game and relied on quick transitions (58-61, min. 35). With every shot came a response. With three minutes to go, Punter appeared to give the Blaugranas an extra boost. Madrid continued to fight and a 2+1 from Tavares made it 70-69 with 50 seconds left. Again, the Cape Verdean centre scored his basket to leave the score at 72-71 with almost 10 seconds on the clock. Chus Mateo‘s side made a foul and Parker converted both shots. It was at that moment that Campazzo's magic came to the fore and he hit a three-pointer at the last moment to force overtime (74-74).

First overtime
Campazzo's three-pointer gave our team confidence and they came out swinging (74-78). But Barça were not going to give in and maintained the dynamic of the whole game thanks to a very inspired Punter. With a minute left, Campazzo made it 83-84. Punter made it 84-84. Our team had the play to take the victory, but Musa was unable to convert his shot and the Clasico was to be settled in the second overtime.

Madrid clinch epic win in second overtime
It was going to take a second overtime period to find out who would claim the Clasico. The game was neck and neck and both teams were pushing each other to the max in every defensive play. Chus Mateo's team, with an imperial Tavares (24 points and 18 rebounds), tried to get ahead on the scoreboard, but Barcelona managed to stop them (90-91). The game was a rollercoaster as the two teams traded blows. But Madrid took a small lead with a minute to go at 90-93. Again it was Campazzo who took the reins in the decisive stretch and scored with 42 seconds left to make it 90-95. Tavares capped off a superb game and the final 90-97 to put the icing on the cake of a titanic effort in a brutal Clasico.

BARCELONA-REAL MADRID STATISTICS