Barcelona, best in the global calculation, took the victory in the European classic. After three quarters in which they were far superior, Madrid, as always, took a hint from the entire race of their shield and was very close to taking the final victory. Llull hit a triple in the last second to win.
Very passionate start of Barcelona, in keeping with the intense atmosphere of the Palau. In a classic the dynamics expire quickly and the azulgranas gave good proof of it, unleashed in the first minutes from the line of three. Satoransky, two meters tall, asserted his physical superiority over Chacho, who had to suffer from an early age against the imposing Czech point guard, while Madrid could not start in attack or defense. Not even the departure of Tavares, substitute today, balanced the balance. The locals, with Kalinic and Laprovittola as leaders, showed their best version of the season. Fluidity and desire to do damage.
In the second quarter, the rotations of both teams gave Madrid some air. Tavares began to condition the duel on the sides of the track and Mateo's men got closer in scoring. The azulgranas thickened, and despite the tight score they were allowed to pair one of their youth squads, the Nigerian Nnaji, 18, with the monstrous Cape Verdean (he was injured a few minutes after trying to score a mate on the Madrid player who had been a Legend ). The intensity in defense suffered and the plugs flew everywhere. Good show in Barcelona, a happy and competitive match, one of the best equations that basketball can determine. A three-pointer from Hezonja gave the Whites hope but at half-time, thanks to an excellent Satoransky, Barça ruled with authority.
Barça did not let go of the accelerator, wanting to send a message of optimism after a somewhat irregular start to the season. Hezonja, crushed and former Barça player, turned into a beacon for the Whites, the Croatian was great in individual actions, unattainable by the local defense. However, the azulgranas were a torrent, fluid and tenacious. Vesely destroyed the madridista hoop and shortly after, Laprovittola scored a stratospheric triple. The Palau exploded with joy and the Catalans began to dream of victory. Chus Mateo, meanwhile, desperate.
In the fourth quarter, something changed. Madrid, all heart and defense, was full, amending its weak first three quarters. Barça short-circuited and the visitors, after a great comeback led by Deck and Cornelie, had a few centimeters to win, missing Llull's triple on the last play to win the game. With cold sweat on their foreheads, the Catalans celebrated although still with fear in their bodies.
