Llull’s last miracle crowns Madrid

The merengue team must be recognized that its genetic code induces it not to throw in the towel from the corner of the ring even if the opponent punches it and threatens to knock it down on the canvas. That’s how it seemed in the 32nd minute (68-61) when a shot from the formidable Vezenkov opened up too wide a chasm with forceps. At least from the perspective of a second half developed according to the canons of low scoring that the imperial defense of Olympiacos prints. But once again, and there are so many that memory barely succeeds in counting them all, the bench that Chus Mateo now occupies was entrusted to the old trade of his illustrious veterans.

He had already done it in the second act, when Chacho and Hezonja, accompanied by Rudy, reversed the first fall into the abyss. Because the 24-12 in favor of the Greek block in the 9th minute heralded the confirmation of the leader of the regular phase as the best team in the championship on the afternoon of final judgment. And also at the time when the clocks tell the truth, when that red break with an almost definitive appearance at the beginning of the last quarter required responsibility and the courage of leaders stepping on the floor.

And the genius from Tenerife with the wonderful lamp volunteered. Sergio Rodríguez always comes to play, like the participants in television contests. And to this playful way of understanding life, he adds the rigor that long-standing types seek. Nice basketball, yes, but above all good in matches of no return. Chacho took possession of the script despite Walkup’s watchful eye, reissued his unlimited partnership with Tavares -the uncomfortable Cape Verdean who never disappoints due to Fall’s physical effort- and resolved at his own risk when he thought it appropriate.

The Canarian base cried out to his allies that Madrid never gives up. Backed by Causeur’s triples, another one who doesn’t understand how to shrink his left-handed wrist, he transformed the notes of despair into the umpteenth white show of faith. As much as that an outside shot from Tenerife beyond the goal, already at the last minute, narrowed the distance (77-78) to the minimum expression.

Twelve seconds until the horn of the break ranks and in that that the fixed-discontinuous bursts onto the scene. First of all, because Llull appears in many photos of jubilant Real Madrid fans. The second, taking into account that his presence on the field is less and less frequent, although with him it is never possible to talk about insignificance.

When everyone was watching the possible ‘goal’ by Rodríguez himself, his yours-mine in the heights with Tavares or the darts of Causeur or Hezonja, the ball remained in the hands of the Menorcan. Bouncing to the right, the giant Fall stretches his arm towards the sky to cloud the view of the guard and the meringue options and in this that the Spaniard takes another of his famous parables with that high cathedral arch from the conjurer’s top hat. And Madrid, third from October to May, lifts the trophy under the gaze of a great team. Because Olympiacos, for six long months and in good phases of the final, demonstrated its rennet, grounds, alternatives and that seriousness behind that reminds of frowns.

The zone resource

Despite the stinginess of the scoreboard, there were abundant details of a big game in the imposing Zalgirio Arena populated by the enthusiastic fans of Piraeus. From the talent of specific men to the use of the field as a rectangular chess board. Giorgios Bartzokas’ team, named the best coach in the Euroleague, lived through the afternoon with his strong and hard-working individual defense that limited the natural catastrophes that Tavares usually causes. And ahead, of the most valuable player of the tournament (Vezenkov), of McKissic’s vertical penetrations and Canaan’s outside shot, who, against the widely used Madrid zonal defense 2-3 with which he secured the rebound and protected his skyscraper, took advantage of Musa’s distractions from the corners.

A great Greek block that flirted with victory longer than its triumphant opponent. But the trade of the Merengue veterans, Chacho’s gift for creating and having fun and Llull’s latest miracle increased the winning legend of the White House.