Real Madrid secures the wildcard at the Palacio
Chus Mateo’s men beat Fenerbahce to have the ‘home field factor’ in the ‘playoffs’
MADRID, March 29 (EUROPE PRESS) –
Real Madrid sent Fenerbahce (90-75) this Wednesday on matchday 31 of the Euroleague at the WiZink Center, an almost peaceful victory for the whites that gave them the ‘Top 4’ and therefore the advantage of the field against the ‘play-offs’ .
The Spanish team, in the first campaign with Chus Mateo, continues to fulfill in Europe, with the second goal of the campaign. Madrid will be one of the first four and will receive the wild card from the Palace in search of the ‘Final Four’ in Kaunas.
The duel of giants, with a Fenerbahce with opportunities to reach that ‘Top 4’, seemed even, but Madrid was always one step ahead. Dzanan Musa (16 points and a PIR of 25), Gabi Deck (PIR of 23) and Adam Hanga (20) were the best in a good display of strength from the 10-time European champion against a very discreet Fenerbahce.
The success of three greatly helped the white night. It was in the second quarter that the local machinery was exposed, albeit without being reflected in the score (49-44). Madrid left the defense for the second half and in the first half they had fun, everyone scored, especially Cornélie imitated Musa as a shooter.
With the Turks, two ex-Barça players like Calathes and Hayes left 10 points each at half-time, with the visiting team also having plenty of punch, albeit without the fluidity of Madrid. The ease of the locals became more noticeable in the return from the changing rooms, scoring Hanga and Yabusele to open the climax of the match (58-46).
Mateo took the opportunity to put more tension in the defense and Dimitris Itoudis’ men did not raise the bar. Leading 19-14, Poirier and Musa led, Madrid extending their lead for a final quarter that was fast on target. Fenerbahce missed the points of the absent Scottie Wilbekin, without weapons.
With Motley and Booker knocked out on the inside and Calathes throwing rocks at the backboard, the Istanbul team never believed in a comeback to avoid their fifth straight defeat in the Spanish capital. The Madrid side, without their point guards Nigel Williams-Goss and Sergio Llull or Causeur, did not miss the opportunity to like each other, while Mateo even gave breaks, especially to Tavares.
Although Poirier was enough, the Cape Verde giant returned in the last three minutes, where anyone from the Euroleague can upset you. Between the pivot’s intimidation, Rudy and Hanga’s triples and the Turks’ deception, victory was not in jeopardy for a Madrid that delivers on its goals on its way to Kaunas.
DATA SHEET.
–RESULT: REAL MADRID, 90 – FENERBAHCE, 75. (49-44, at half-time).
–EQUIPMENT.
REAL MADRID: Hanga (11), Musa (16), Deck (6), Yabusele (9) and Tavares (4) –from five–; Hezonja (10), Sergio Rodríguez (5), Rudy Fernández (9), Poirier (11), Cornélie (9).
FENERBAHCE: Calathes (12), Guduric (10), Hayes-Davis (17), Motley (6) and Booker (9) –starting five– Dorsey (6), Bjelica (-), Jekiri (6), Biberovic (7), Edwards (2), Hazer (-), Akpinar.
— PARTS: 24-21, 25-23, 19-14, 22-17.
–REFEREES: Radovic, Vilius and Nedovic. No removed.
–PAVILLION: WiZink Center, 9,523 spectators.
Source: Noti Merica
