BOTEVGRAD. Real Madrid secured their ticket to the EuroLeague 2025/26 Final Four after defeating Hapoel Tel Aviv 81-87 and closing the quarterfinal series 3-1.
The team coached by Sergio Scariolo managed to withstand the pressure moments on neutral territory and found in Usman Garuba one of the standout names of the night, decisive through energy, defense, and impact on both ends of the floor.
The start of the game was not easy for the Madrid side. After opening the scoring, Madrid conceded a 11-0 run led by an inspired Dan Oturu, dominant near the basket and taking advantage of Walter Tavares' absence and Alex Len's initial difficulties containing him. The Hapoel center punished Madrid repeatedly in the paint while Vasilije Micic orchestrated the Israeli attack.
Garuba's entry completely changed the tone of the game. The Madrid center, playing with visible discomfort and a bulky bandage on his left wrist, injected intensity into the rest of the team. Facu Campazzo, Mario Hezonja, and Chuma Okeke took advantage of that momentum to restore balance to the scoreboard with a series of three-pointers that neutralized the home advantage.
From that point on, Real Madrid began to control the pace of the game. The second unit responded with personality and players like Théo Maledon and Andrés Feliz provided continuity to Madrid's offensive growth. The Madrid defense elevated its aggressiveness and Hapoel began to stall.
https://youtu.be/ILgcaDzU_rM?si=Hb6fpztsR8z83Lk5
The great visiting moment came in the second quarter. Garuba orchestrated decisive plays on both ends, including a spectacular block that culminated in a three-pointer by Trey Lyles to cap off a devastating 0-17 run that pushed the lead to 21-34. Madrid had delivered an important blow to the game.
Although Micic stopped the bleeding with a three-pointer and Oturu found spaces near the basket again, the Madrid team maintained control. Campazzo closed the first half with a crucial three-pointer to send the game to halftime with a Madrid advantage (36-46).
After the break, Hapoel tried to react relying on Micic's talent, Oturu's production, and Elijah Bryant's offensive appearance. However, Real Madrid always responded with composure. Andrés Feliz maintained order on the perimeter, while Garuba continued to multiply on defense to sustain the lead.
Chris Jones appeared too late for Israeli interests and Maledon took on prominence again in the final stretch of the third quarter, allowing Madrid to enter the final ten minutes with a still solid lead (53-63).
Hapoel managed to get within seven points with five minutes remaining, driven again by Oturu and Micic, but at the decisive moment Madrid's veterans emerged. Campazzo executed a three-point play following a penetration and foul, while Hezonja punished from the free throw line to cut off any comeback attempt.
With Garuba sustaining the defensive effort despite the pain and with the team responding in key possessions, Real Madrid finished securing a victory of enormous value to return two years later to a EuroLeague Final Four, where they will once again fight for the continental title.