Obradoiro and Breogán reopen the Galician derby

Galician basketball once again stars in a high-intensity clash in Santiago. This Sunday, in Matchday 6 of the Liga Endesa, Monbus Obradoiro and Río Breogán kick off a series that will mark the calendar for the coming months, with five more matchups scheduled until May 2027. The broadcast will be complete on DAZN, TVG, and through agalega.

This is the first clash between these two Galician teams since the Santiago team returned to the elite after their time in Primera FEB. The last time they met in the ACB was in the 2023-24 season, when Obradoiro won both times: first in Lugo with an 88-90 score and then at home with an 83-72. This double win allowed the team coached by Diego Epifanio to equal the historical balance, which today remains tied with four victories for each team.

Numbers that speak of equality

The parity between both teams is also reflected in the aggregated statistics. Monbus Obradoiro has scored 608 points in the eight matches played against Río Breogán, while the team from Lugo has accumulated 603. However, in the Santiago venue of Fontes do Sar, the balance slightly tilts towards Obradoiro, who have won three of the four derbies played at home. Breogán achieved their only victory in the Santiago arena with a 67-74 in 2023.

For this match, both teams arrive with identical records: three wins and two losses. Río Breogán stands out for its offensive capacity, being the second-highest scoring team in the Liga Endesa, just behind Real Madrid, which averages 103.6 points. The team from Lugo ranks on the podium for highest accuracy in both two-point shots, with 60.6%, and three-pointers, with 42%, being the only team to occupy both elite positions. Although they broke their streak of games with triple digits in the fifth matchday, their offensive potential remains a decisive factor.

Monbus Obradoiro, for its part, has managed to equal Breogán in wins despite being the team with the lowest field goal percentage in the competition, at 48.5%. This data underscores the defensive capability and tactical solidity of the Santiago team, which compensates for its lower effectiveness with a more compact organization.

The Quintela factor and other intertwined stories

This Sunday’s derby will have an added emotional component. Brothers Sergi and Erik Quintela, who shared a locker room at Río Breogán during the last six derbies, will be on opposing sides this time. Sergi defends the shirt of Monbus Obradoiro, while Erik remains with Breogán. Sergi's best performance in the ACB came precisely in a derby: the first leg of the 2023-24 season, when he scored 19 points and achieved a valuation of 27.

On the benches, there is also a crossroads that adds historical context. Diego Epifanio, the current coach of Monbus Obradoiro, was the one who led Río Breogán during their last ascent to the Liga Endesa. This detail highlights the connections that exist in Galician basketball, where the paths of coaches and players often intersect.

Record-breaking history in the derby

The individual records of the matchup are shared between the best moments of both teams. Laurynas Birutis holds the record for the highest score in a derby in the ACB with 26 points, achieved in the 100-83 victory for Monbus Obradoiro in 2022. Jerome Jordan grabbed 13 rebounds while playing for Río Breogán in the 69-56 of 2018, the first derby that both teams played in the competition. Albert Sàbat dished out 12 assists in the 75-73 of 2019, leaving his mark on the assist records of the duel.

These historical data reflect the quality of the matches that have been played, with moments of high offensive and defensive intensity that have marked the rivalry between Santiago and Lugo in the elite of Spanish basketball.

Beyond Sunday: six derbies in the season

This Sunday's match is just the first of a long series. The Liga Endesa has scheduled five more encounters between these two teams and Leyma Coruña, which completes the Galician triangle. The next derby between Obradoiro and Breogán will take place on May 2, 2027, in Lugo, closing out a season full of matchups among the three Galician representatives.

This Sunday’s broadcast will be available on multiple platforms so that the Galician fans can follow every detail. DAZN and TVG will provide television coverage, while agalega will offer online access. In Lugo, the Asociación de Empresarios Lugo Monumental will set up a giant screen in Plaza de Santa María for local fans to enjoy the derby live starting at 12:00.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Obradoiro y Breogán reabre el derbi gallego