Real Madrid Dismantles Hapoel Tel Aviv to Put EuroLeague Final Four Within Reach

The road to the Final Four typically demands a level of composure that separates the contenders from the pretenders. For Sergio Scariolo’s Real Madrid, that composure arrived in a devastating second-half surge on Friday, as the Spanish giants crushed Hapoel Tel Aviv 102-75 at the Movistar Arena.

The victory gives Real Madrid a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, leaving them just one win away from securing a spot among Europe’s elite. While the final score suggests a blowout, the game served as a reminder of why the playoffs are a different beast entirely; for twenty minutes, the Israeli side pushed Madrid to the brink, only to be overwhelmed by a tactical masterclass in the second half.

A Tale of Two Halves

The first half was far from the coronation the home crowd expected. Hapoel Tel Aviv entered the Movistar Arena with a level of aggression that caught Madrid off guard. Led by the scoring of Elijah and the interior presence of Oturu, the visitors managed to dictate the tempo early, trailing by only three at the end of the first quarter (24-21) and eventually seizing a 42-40 lead going into the locker room.

For Madrid, the first half was characterized by uncharacteristic turnovers and a lack of shooting accuracy. The offense looked disjointed, struggling to find a rhythm against a Hapoel defense that refused to be intimidated by the atmosphere in Madrid. It was a tentative start for a team eyeing a return to the Final Four, but the intermission provided the necessary reset.

What followed was an avalanche. Real Madrid emerged for the second half as a completely different unit, outscoring Hapoel 62-33 over the final twenty minutes. The tide turned quickly, sparked by a flurry of points from Feliz, Garuba, and Campazzo. A three-pointer from Hezonja pushed the lead to its widest margin, and from there, the game became a showcase of Madrid’s depth and conditioning.

The Engine and the Anchor: Campazzo and Garuba

Every dominant performance has its catalysts, and for Real Madrid, those catalysts were Facundo Campazzo and Juancho Garuba. Campazzo operated as the team’s heartbeat, finishing with 23 points and a staggering 30 Performance Index Rating (PIR). His ability to penetrate the defense and orchestrate the offense turned the game into a track meet that Hapoel simply could not sustain.

While Campazzo provided the speed, Garuba provided the strength. The Spanish center was a force in the paint, contributing 13 points and a 21 PIR. His “empuje”—the sheer drive and physicality—allowed Madrid to dominate the boards and limit Hapoel’s second-chance opportunities. Along with Maledon, who added 13 points and a 14 PIR, Madrid’s core established a level of control that left the visitors searching for answers.

For those following the game, PIR (Performance Index Rating) is the EuroLeague’s standard for measuring a player’s overall contribution, factoring in points, rebounds, assists, and steals while subtracting misses and turnovers. Campazzo’s 30 PIR indicates a near-perfect game in terms of efficiency and impact.

Overcoming the Tavares Void

The most significant question heading into this series was how Real Madrid would cope without Walter Tavares. The defensive anchor is sidelined for the remainder of the series due to a knee injury, a loss that many analysts believed would leave Madrid vulnerable in the paint according to Eurohoops.

Sergio Scariolo, however, proved why he is regarded as one of the finest tactical minds in international basketball. Rather than trying to find a direct replacement for Tavares’ shot-blocking, Scariolo adjusted the team’s defensive rotations and relied on a more mobile, aggressive frontcourt. By utilizing Garuba’s energy and the versatility of the supporting cast, Madrid didn’t just survive the absence of their star center—they thrived.

This adaptability is a critical signal to the rest of the league. If Madrid can dismantle a resilient Hapoel team while missing their primary defensive weapon, they enter the Final Four conversation as a team capable of winning in multiple styles.

The Path to OAKA

The series now shifts to the Arena Botevgrad in Bulgaria, where Real Madrid will have their first opportunity to close out the series on Tuesday. The travel to Bulgaria adds a layer of logistical challenge, but with a 2-0 cushion, the psychological advantage rests firmly with the Spaniards.

A victory in Bulgaria would mark a triumphant return to the Final Four, hosted this year at the OAKA AltAthens Olympic Indoor Hall. It has been two years since Madrid last graced the final four stage, and the hunger for a return is evident in the way they closed out the second half against Hapoel.

For Hapoel Tel Aviv, the lesson will be one of endurance. They proved they could compete with the best for a half, but the gap in depth and execution became an abyss once Madrid found their rhythm. To force a Game 3, they will need to replicate their first-half intensity for a full 40 minutes—a tall order against a Madrid team that looks increasingly unstoppable.

The next confirmed checkpoint is Tuesday’s clash in Bulgaria at 6:00 pm CEST. If the results hold, the basketball world will be looking toward Athens and the OAKA for the final showdown.

Do you think Real Madrid can win the title without Walter Tavares? Let us know in the comments below.