Real Madrid is already expecting a rival in the Endesa League final after storming the Badalona Olympic Stadium and shelving the series. Joventut held out for two quarters, but in the third, Madrid’s increased turnover and the trouble scoring for Carles Durán’s men sentenced the game against them.
Once again, the Badalona Olympics did not disappoint, a real cauldron in what was a life or death match for their team. Neither did Carles Durán’s men, who were close to perfection for many minutes to push a much more demanding Madrid to the limit than in the previous game. He learned from his past mistakes at La Penya, and was able to close the rebound and counteract Madrid’s virtues in the paint during the first half. Thus, each point cost both of them a world in a very physical and closed game in which he prevailed over tactics.
The score was very tight during the first half. The locals had the first advantages thanks to a choral score in which Feliz stood out. But up to six different players scored in the first quarter alone. Chus Mateo quickly realized that his inner game was not working and he put four ‘shorts’ on track plus the giant Tavares. Like against Olympiacos in the Euroleague final, Sergio Rodríguez, Llull and Rudy shared many minutes on the court.
The second quarter began with equality in the electronic (17-17). A low and hopeful score for La Penya. But soon her physique suffered. Tomic appeared earlier with an assist and a basket that Parra rounded off with a three-pointer to give Badalona’s team the maximum (29-25). However, between Llull and Sergio Rodríguez they would turn the score around with several three-pointers. Suddenly, the second chances, the tapping and the steals belonged to the whites, who left five up (33-38). Parra’s pride minimized the problem before the break (35-38).
In the resumption the problems appeared. The ring seemed too small for the locals, who went several minutes without scoring, and in Madrid the success of Musa, Hanga and Yabusele appeared. Durán tried everything to stop the losing inertia, but there was no way. The partial was 15-24 (49-63). At the beginning of the last quarter, the miracle did not come, but Tavares appeared to put the finishing touch. Thus, a 49-66 was reached very soon, which seemed to seal the tie.
The arrests of Olimpic and a team that is full of pride allowed them to dream of a final arreón (56-66), which the success of Hezonja, Yabusele and Musa were in charge of burying. The Olimpic closes for this course. The whites await an opponent in the grand final
