On April 29, 2026, at the Movistar Arena, round one of the EuroLeague Playoffs best-of-five series began with Real Madrid Baloncesto defeating Hapoel Tel Aviv 86–82 in a gripping Game 1 encounter in the Spanish capital.
The game’s narrative was shaped early by an unexpected setback for Real Madrid Baloncesto. Just two minutes into the opening quarter, Walter Tavares was forced off through injury, leaving a major absence inside. However, rather than falter, Real Madrid responded with urgency and precision. Facundo Campazzo set the tone immediately, orchestrating the offence with authority and knocking down three early three-pointers. His influence propelled Madrid to a 27-18 lead at the end of the first quarter, establishing both rhythm and confidence.
The second quarter saw Madrid tighten their grip on the contest. With strong contributions across the roster, including Mario Hezonja’s all-around play and effective minutes from the bench, the hosts extended their advantage. Dominance on the boards, led by the physical presence of Usman Garuba and Chuma Okeke, allowed Real Madrid Baloncesto to generate second-chance opportunities and control possession. By halftime, they had built a commanding 48-33 lead, leaving Hapoel struggling to match their intensity on both ends of the floor. At one stage, Madrid’s lead stretched to 20 points, underlining their superiority through much of the first half.
Despite the deficit, Hapoel Tel Aviv mounted an impressive response after the break. Daniel Oturu emerged as a dominant force inside, recording a standout double-double with 20 points and 17 rebounds. Antonio Blakeney spearheaded the offensive charge from the perimeter, finishing with 25 points and six three-pointers. His shooting ignited a fourth-quarter rally that dramatically shifted the momentum. Hapoel outscored Madrid 27-16 in the final period, with additional support from Chris Jones and Vasilije Micic helping to cut the deficit to just four points in the closing moments.
The final minute brought tension to the Movistar Arena as back-to-back three-pointers from Blakeney reduced the margin to 86-82, putting Madrid under real pressure for the first time since the opening quarter. However, Madrid’s earlier dominance proved decisive. Composed defensive possessions and disciplined game management allowed them to withstand the late surge and close out the victory. Campazzo finished as Madrid’s standout performer with 21 points, including six three-pointers, leading a balanced team effort in the absence of their defensive anchor.
After the game, I had the opportunity to attend the post-game press conference, which included the head coach of Hapoel Tel Aviv BC, Dimitrios Itoudis and the head coach of Real Madrid Baloncesto, Sergio Scariolo.
The post-game press conference reflected both the intensity of the contest and the significance of the result. Sergio Scariolo praised his team’s composure and collective effort, particularly in overcoming the early loss of Walter Tavares, highlighting how their first-half execution ultimately laid the foundation for victory. On the other side, Dimitrios Itoudis acknowledged his team’s slow start but emphasized the character shown in their second-half resurgence, noting that the series is far from over.
As reflected in the official match report by Real Madrid Baloncesto, this opening game underlined Madrid’s depth and resilience, but also exposed vulnerabilities that Hapoel Tel Aviv will look to exploit moving forward. With momentum shifting late and the visitors gaining confidence, Game 1 served as both a statement win for Madrid and a warning that the series could become a tightly contested battle.