Madrid edges out Obradoiro in overtime after a nail-biting clash

The Real Madrid survived a huge scare in Galicia. Against an Obradoiro that fought with all its soul, the whites needed overtime to seal a victory that could have slipped away in regulation time. The final score of 107-114 reflects the toughness of a game where both teams had chances to win, but it was the visitors who showed greater experience in the decisive moments.

The deceptive dominance at halftime

The first half ended with a 43-54 lead for the Madrid team, but the partial figures revealed a much more competitive reality. With a score of 26-25 at minute 14 and 33-34 at minute 16, the battle was wide open. The Obradoiro started with early advantages, reaching a six-point lead, but from the second quarter on, the score tightened progressively. The three-pointers made the difference in this phase: while the Galicians hit only 1 of 8, the whites were devastating with 5 of 7 consecutive hits. Maledon opened fire with a three-pointer for 35-40, Luwawu-Cabarrot extended it with another for 39-49, and Jantunen closed the barrage with two more, the last one at the very last second. This last shot was reviewed by the referees and downgraded to a two-point basket, giving Pedro Martínez an eleven-point cushion at halftime.

The Galician comeback and the lost control

The third quarter was a nerve-wracking experience for the visitors. The Obradoiro's comeback was as quick as the lead they had built: at minute 25, the score was 60-61, putting the Galicians on the verge of a tie. Three turnovers by the Madrilenians combined with a terrible 0 of 6 in two-point shots facilitated the local pressure. Epi's team even had two free throws to take the lead, but Barrueta only made one to tie it. The return of Okeke and Jantunen allowed the whites to regain a small advantage, with the Finn scoring at the buzzer for a 69-75 heading into the final period.

In the final quarter, Madrid seemed to take definitive control with a 77-88 lead at minute 34. Logic dictated that whoever scored more would win. But the Obradoiro understood this and pressed impressively to 90-91. Quintela made two free throws in a row, the Galician team added one more, and Barrueta connected on a three-pointer for 96-94 that turned the game on its head. The whites responded: Cabarrot scored for 96-97, Maledon made two free throws for 96-99 with 32 seconds to go. But Childress tied it with a deep three-pointer, and Maledon missed the shot for victory.

The nerve-wracking overtime and white experience

Five extra minutes where nerves dominated. Little scoring, rushed actions on both sides, and a tie at 104 with a minute and a half remaining. Soriano made 1 of 2 from the line for the Galicians, Maledon converted both of his for 105-104. A poor attack by Soriano, intimidated by Pradilla, gave possession to the whites. Maledon did not miss from 4.60 for the final 105-108 with 32 seconds on the clock. Leyma Coruña went all out but only managed to let the final margin grow in the last seconds.

Maledon and Luwawu-Cabarrot, the pillars of victory

Maledon and Luwawu-Cabarrot were the visible faces of the Madrid victory, both scoring 25 points that reflected their significance in crucial moments. The quality and experience of these players, along with Jantunen and Feliz, proved decisive in tight endings against a rival that, while competing with dignity, lacked that level of experience in key positions.

Concern was raised by the performance of Shulga and Sarr, with just four and eight minutes respectively out of the 45 played. Both have become habitual suspects of low performance, forcing Pedro Martínez to shorten his rotation more than expected. Campazzo, Abalde, and Deck rested among the regulars, while Jones did not participate due to the three non-EU passports. This situation highlights that some signings are not meeting the generated expectations.

The Real Madrid must feel relieved to have avoided a defeat that would have had a significant media impact. The budget difference is staggering: the whites have resources fifteen times greater than the Obradoiro.

The Obradoiro will mourn for days the missed opportunity to achieve a prestigious victory. They competed, came back, took the lead, and had their chances. That Real Madrid left Galicia with a victory in overtime is more a reflection of accumulated experience than of a crushing superiority in play. In such close matches, where both could win or lose both in regulation and overtime, the difference is made by the details and the ability to avoid mistakes in the closing moments. That was what the white team showed they had when it mattered most.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Madrid supera al Obradoiro en prórroga tras duelo de nervios