Real Madrid – Armani Milano 92-88: Yul maintained the “Queen”.

Real Madrid had their backs to the wall against Armani Milano (-7 at 2’54 ” at the end) but found a way to stay upright, taking the game into overtime and getting a great win there (92 – 88), a win that gives her the advantage for second place in the regular season in the EuroLeague.

After four consecutive defeats in the tournament and disappointing performances (especially in attack), the “Queen” justified the weight of her jersey to the antenna. On the other hand, Ettore Messina’s players did everything they could to lose the game as they made consecutive errors in the last minute and a half.

The race

Real Madrid’s start didn’t remind of what happened (badly) in Belgrade two nights ago. With good ball circulation and exceptional percentages, the hosts quickly took the lead and reached +9 (25-16) at the end of the first period, with a big gun of 10/15, two points and the action of their big one.

Gradually, however, Armani Milano found a way to level things out. Even if he had Malcolm Delaney on a bad night. The visitors got many players who are not priority in attack, with Troy Daniels (3/3 three points) and Davide Alviti (8 points) making the difference until the break (41-41) was tied.

From then on, the game developed into a real derby. Niccolo Meli was now the leader in attack from Armani Milano, who had the right attacking options and superb creation despite the absence of Sergio Rodriguez. When Eddie Tavares went to the bench for air, the Reds took the opportunity to score with back-to-back penetrations to hold the “X” (64-64) at the end of the third period.

The bra de fer continued in the closing meters of the race, but Armani Milano seemed more capable of victory. Malcolm Delaney led the effort and was the player who made the difference for the “X” (74-74) to go from 36 to +7 (74-81) in a minute and a half. However, no matter how close they came to victory, the Italians got it all wrong on the next few possessions, resulting in seven unanswered points and another draw (81-81), which sent the game into overtime.

From the moment Real Madrid got up and had a second chance to win, Sergio Yul took matters into his own hands. He scored seven points in the extra five minutes, won Malcolm Delaney’s offensive foul by 9.8” and led the Spanish team to victory – balm, which is a comfortable lead over second place in the regular season.

THE REFEREES: Latisevs – Vilius – Bisang.

THE TEN MINUTES: 25-16, 41-41, 64-64, 81-81 etc., 92-88a’ par.

real Madrid (Lasso): Williams – Goss 12 (5/8 two points, 2/2 shots, 4 rebounds, 3 assists), Hertel 8 (2), Rudy 2 (1/6 shot, 6 rebounds, 3 assists), Abalde 3 (1/5 shots), Hanga 2, Deck 15 (6/6 two points, 3/5 shots, 6 rebounds), Poirier 4 (4 rebounds), Tavares 6 (9 rebounds, 3 assists), July 20 (5th / 7 two points, 3/11 three points, 1/1 shot), Yaboussele 16 (4/6 three points, 3 rebounds), Tombkins 4.

ARMANI MILAN (Messina): Honey 18 (6/9 two points, 1/2 three points, 3/5 shots, 8 rebounds), Grant 5 (1), Tarzuski 2, Ritchie 2, Hall 21 (6/10 two points, 2nd /4 three points, 3/3 shots, 4 assists), Dilleni 8 (3/14 shots, 2/6 shots, 6 assists), Mitoglou 6 (4 rebounds, 2 steals), Baldasso, Daniels 10 (3/4 3 -pointer), Alviti 8 (1/3 three points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists), Hines 8 (3 rebounds, 3 assists).

Team Stats – Real Madrid: 26/43 two points, 10/27 three points, 10/12 shots, 36 rebounds (27 defensive + 9 offensive), 15 assists, 4 steals, 10 errors, 3 blocks.

Group Stats – Armani Milano: 24/49 two points, 8/19 three points, 16/24 shots, 27 rebounds (20 defensive + 7 offensive), 19 assists, 7 steals, 7 errors, 1 block.

The next commitments of the two teams: For Real Madrid, the home game against Villeurbanne (17/3, 21:45) follows, while Armani Milano returns to the Mediolanum Forum to play with Bayern Munich (18/3, 21:30).