Barcelona beat Real Madrid in the first match

Barça imposed the strength of the collective on Real Madrid in the first round of the Endesa League finals, which was decided in the second part thanks to the defensive improvement and collective annotation of the Azulgrana. After suffering from Walter Tavares in the first half (12 points, 3 in the second), the Catalan team raised the physical bar and showed the necessary conviction to withstand the white final arreón.

The first unknown of the evening, the Palau Blaugrana’s welcome to Mirotic, who the day before confirmed in an interview that the club had informed him that he would not continue the next course, ended with applause during the presentation that the power forward He thanked by clapping back.

Outside the play Real Madrid took advantage of the connection between Williams-Goss and Tavares in a direct block to open the first gap on the scoreboard (4-12, min.4). With the change of Sanli and Da Silva as an inside duo, Barça gained solidity and gained the necessary confidence to carburize in attack.

The Culé offensive has successfully attacked where the impact is Tavares: comfortable shots from mid-range and three triples by Sanli, who got Palau on its feet at the end of the first quarter (28-23).

entrance to Sergio Rodriguez reactivated Real Madrid’s attack, which knew how to detect cracks in Barcelona’s zone. Rudy Fernández’s three-pointer (37-33, min.14) forced a Jasikevicius timeout, which also had no effect, as the white zone cut off the rhythm of a sloppy Barca without Satoransky, who sat with three fouls.

The party has changed. From the electric opening exchanges to the pace set by El Chacho, who sparked Tavares and along the way White’s comeback, culminating in two triples by Lullo and Yabusele, and shot by Hezonja on the verge of fracture (47-50). Sanli (12) and Tavares (13), the best scorers on vacation.

After passing through the locker room, the Catalan team raised the physical bar and the defense took control in the phase of maximum physical dedication and few goals (54-54, min.26). The tie was maintained until the end of the third round, with a minimal lead Barcelona (63-61), leaving the outcome open.

Despite Hezonja’s flashes, the Real Madrid I was uncomfortable on the track. Chus Mateo called for the order and called the old guard, who came to the rescue with a series of 0-6 after Abrines increased the advantage to ten points (74-64, min.33).

White’s seniority did not stop Barça, who responded with dedication and found oxygen in the attack with Satoransky (80-70, min. 37). But Madrid did not say the last word. Led by Llulla, the Whites came within five points, but the Catalan team held on with the goals of Mirotic, Laprovittola and Sanli and won the first point in the final (97-88).