Real Madrid didn’t need to rely on any joker card this time. Unlike last Tuesday, they kept a firm grip on their opponent and never let go. The Spanish giants defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv in Game 4 of the EuroLeague playoffs, securing their spot in the Final Four in Athens from May 22 to 24, after a one-year absence. Sergio Scariolo’s project has, for now, achieved its goal. The finishing touch remains, but if they replicate the same collective energy displayed on Thursday, they will be much closer.
It was a day to put on the work suit and roar. Facundo Campazzo, Mario Hezonja, and Théo Maledon—three key players for Madrid—all surpassed a valuation of 17 points. But if anyone erupts in big battles, the most distinctive roar on this team belongs to Usman Garuba, who has grown throughout the series, reaching the flashes that once took him to the NBA and to gold at EuroBasket 2022. In the absence of Edy Tavares, the most decisive center in the continental tournament, Garuba stepped up. In 20 minutes of play, the center from Azuqueca de Henares scored 16 points (8-of-9 shooting), grabbed 6 rebounds, added 2 blocks, and finished with a valuation of 21. Above all, he infected his teammates with his vigor. It was a game for everyone to fulfill their role, and that was his.
Gabriel Deck, for example, couldn’t shine on offense because he had to focus on defending Elijah Bryant. He was also crucial. That was especially important because other Hapoel stars did shine, and in spectacular fashion. A masterful Vasilije Micic—signed for big money precisely for moments like this—flirted with a triple-double while feeding an unleashed Daniel Oturu, who scored 29 points. Together, they combined for 68 valuation points. It wasn’t enough. The prey resisted and stayed alive, but it was doomed.
