Real Madrid vs. Crvena Zvezda: Battle for Home Court Advantage in EuroLeague Finale

Real Madrid hosts Estrella Roja in Movistar Arena on Thursday, April 16, 2026, for the 38th and final round of the EuroLeague 2025-26 regular season. The game carries significant playoff implications as Madrid seeks to secure home-court advantage in the postseason.

According to verified live updates from the match, Real Madrid held a 47-38 lead over Estrella Roja with five minutes remaining in the second quarter. The scoring progression shows a tightly contested first half, with Madrid building momentum through key contributions from several players.

Early in the second quarter, Ojeleye scored a powerful basket to create space, which Garuba answered with a strong finish under the basket. Facundo Campazzo then found Tyrese Lyles in transition for an easy score, extending Madrid’s advantage. Deck added to the lead with two free throws, followed by Lyles converting his own free throw attempt.

The game remained competitive as Estrella Roja responded through Izundu and Maledon, who converted two free throws to keep the deficit manageable. Miljenovic hit a three-pointer for Estrella Roja, but Garuba answered with a powerful two-handed dunk. Campazzo then hit a transition three-pointer to push Madrid’s lead to 42-36.

Deck continued his scoring efficiency by drawing a foul and converting two free throws, making it 40-36. Llull entered the game to noticeable fan appreciation, according to arena reports. Deck then forced another foul and headed to the free-throw line for additional attempts.

Earlier in the quarter, Maledon earned a 2+1 opportunity by scoring through contact on the right side. Estrella Roja’s Feliz hit a three-pointer to ignite a brief rally, but Madrid had previously forced a timeout after executing a 13-1 run that shifted momentum decisively in their favor.

Deck contributed early in the second period by corralling a rebound secured by Garuba and finishing uncontested under the basket. Maledon also added to Madrid’s lead with another 2+1 play, showcasing his expertise in finishing through contact.

At the end of the first quarter, Real Madrid led Estrella Roja 27-25. Maledon started the scoring surge for Madrid with a 2+1 play on the right side, followed by Feliz’s three-pointer for Estrella Roja that kept the game within reach.

The matchup represents Estrella Roja’s final regular-season game as they host Red Star Belgrade in this EuroLeague contest. Both teams are competing for positioning ahead of the playoffs, with Madrid specifically aiming to lock up favorable seeding.

Verified sources confirm that Real Madrid’s victory over Fenerbahçe earlier in the season was pivotal in maintaining their Top-4 aspirations, which guarantees home-court advantage in playoff series. A win against Estrella Roja would secure Madrid’s playoff positioning and potentially improve their seeding.

Even in the worst-case scenario of a loss, Madrid would still qualify for the playoffs, potentially falling no lower than sixth place. The team controls its own destiny heading into this final regular-season game.

The game is being played at Movistar Arena in Madrid, Spain, with tip-off scheduled for local evening hours. Fans worldwide can follow the action through official EuroLeague broadcasting partners and digital platforms.

As the final regular-season contest concludes, the outcome will determine final standings and playoff matchups for both teams. Real Madrid seeks to capitalize on its home-court advantage while Estrella Roja aims to finish the season on a positive note despite playoff elimination implications.

Stay tuned for post-game analysis and confirmed playoff bracket implications once the final buzzer sounds at Movistar Arena.

For continuing coverage of EuroLeague basketball and other major sports events, visit archysport.com for verified updates, expert analysis, and comprehensive reporting.

Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief

Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.

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