Champions of the EuroLeague Super Cup!

Real Madrid continues to expand its legend. Our team was crowned champion of the first edition of the EuroLeague Super Cup by defeating Olympiacos in the final held at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. With a great team performance, Tavares was named MVP after a game in which 7 madridista players achieved double-digit performance ratings.

Under the pressure of a title-deciding match, both teams entered the court with a slow scoring rhythm and numerous turnovers. Maledon, Deck, Abalde, and Luwawu-Cabarrot contributed baskets for Madrid, while Vezenkov and Ward scored for Olympiacos (7-11; min. 6). The Greeks managed to tie the score, but our team shifted gears and widened the gap thanks to three-pointers from Pradilla, Llull, and Campazzo (12-20; min. 9). With this momentum, the madridistas achieved a maximum lead of +10 and ended the first quarter ahead, 15-24.

The Greeks respond
In the second quarter, Olympiacos reacted with a 9-2 run to bring the score to 24-27. The team did not falter and, with very active play in the paint, quickly regained their 10-point lead (27-37; min. 16). Jones, from the free-throw line, and Pradilla maintained the lead on the scoreboard and countered the Greek team's baskets (32-42). Montero, Fournier, and Ndiaye reduced the gap to 3 points with seconds left in the first half. Jantunen extended it from the perimeter, but Cory Joseph, at the buzzer, sent the game into halftime with a score of 43-47.

After the break, Olympiacos took the lead for the first time in the game with a 7-0 run (50-47). Then Deck stepped up with two consecutive three-pointers to regain the advantage. However, the opponent capitalized on Madrid's turnovers and achieved their biggest lead so far, +5 (61-56; min. 25), despite our team's success from beyond the arc. Madrid entered the bonus, and Olympiacos scored points taking advantage of the different refereeing criteria (the Greeks had 37 free throws compared to 26 for the whites). Pedro Martínez's team stayed ahead thanks to Abalde from beyond the arc, Maledon, Jones, and Jantunen (70-73; min. 29). After a 4-11 run, the game went into the final quarter with Madrid leading 72-75.

The madridistas hold their ground
Madrid pulled away again thanks to Tavares, improved defense, and accurate free throws from Pradilla. The madridistas continued to dominate and once again achieved a +10 lead with a three-pointer from Luwawu-Cabarrot (72-82; min. 34), although it was countered by another from Montero. Vezenkov took the initiative and, with 8 points, brought the score to 83-87.

Thrilling finale
The final moments were nerve-wracking, with constant basket exchanges. With one minute remaining, Fournier hit a three-pointer to make it 89-91, leaving the game completely open. But then Feliz stepped up from the paint to seal the victory for Real Madrid in the final seconds (89-93). The first title of the season is here. 

Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.