FC Barcelona Clinch Final Berth with Late Victory Over La Laguna Tenerife

Updated: May 15, 2025 • 21:45 UTC (23:45 CEST)

Barcelona, Spain — FC Barcelona secured a 97-89 victory over La Laguna Tenerife in the EuroLeague playoffs on Wednesday night, moving one win away from the final after surviving a late challenge from their Canarian opponents. The Catalan giants, who had trailed by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter, rallied to extend their series lead to 2-0 and keep their EuroLeague dreams alive.

The win came in front of a partisan crowd at Palau Blaugrana, where Joan Laporta, the club’s president, watched the final minutes with tension before celebrating the hard-fought triumph. La Laguna Tenerife, who had pushed Barcelona to the brink, fell just short despite a dominant performance from Australian guard Patty Mills, who scored 36 points and led all scorers.

Why This Win Matters for Barcelona’s EuroLeague Campaign

With the series now tied at 2-0 in favor of Barcelona, the Catalan club will look to close out the playoff series in Tenerife on Saturday night (local time, 20:00 UTC). A victory there would send Barcelona to their first EuroLeague final since 2021, where they fell to AS Monaco.

This series has been defined by Barcelona’s resilience. After dropping Game 1 at home by 11 points, the Blaugrana have now won two straight contests, including a dramatic comeback in Game 3. The team’s ability to close out games in the final minutes—something they struggled with earlier in the season—has been critical.

Key Moments That Decided the Game

The game remained tightly contested until the final eight minutes, when Barcelona went on a 12-4 run to pull away. Two key plays stood out:

• Defensive Stand by Marc Gasol: The veteran center, playing in his final EuroLeague season, locked down Mills in a one-on-one situation, forcing a turnover that led to a Barcelona basket.
• Clutch Three from Ansu Fofana: With less than two minutes remaining, Fofana drained a three-pointer to put Barcelona up by six points, effectively sealing the game.

La Laguna Tenerife’s hopes were also dashed by the fouling of Txus Vidorreta, who was ejected in the fourth quarter after accumulating five personal fouls. The Spanish point guard had been instrumental in keeping Barcelona in the game with aggressive defense and clutch plays.

Player Spotlight: Mills vs. Barcelona’s Defensive Wall

Patty Mills finished with 36 points (12/20 FG, 6/11 3PT, 8/10 FT) and 7 rebounds, leading all players in scoring. His performance was the most efficient of his EuroLeague career, but it wasn’t enough against Barcelona’s late-game defense.

Barcelona’s offensive production was more balanced, with five players scoring in double figures:

Coach Joan Plaza praised his team’s ability to execute in the clutch: “‘We knew we had to finish strong. The players responded when it mattered most,’” he said in a postgame interview. “‘This is what separates champions from contenders.’“

How This Series Compares to Barcelona’s 2021 Final Run

Barcelona’s path to this final berth mirrors their 2021 campaign in some ways, particularly their ability to overcome adversity in playoff series. In that season, they lost Game 1 at home to Monaco before winning three straight to advance. This year, they dropped Game 1 at home to Tenerife before rallying to take control.

However, there’s one key difference: Barcelona’s roster is deeper and more experienced. The addition of Gasol, who joined the team in 2023, has provided the veteran leadership that was missing in 2021. His presence on the court in crunch time has been a game-changer.

La Laguna Tenerife, meanwhile, have never reached a EuroLeague final. Their run to the semifinals—where they lost to Real Madrid—was their best-ever campaign. This series has given them a chance to make history, but Barcelona’s late-game execution has stifled their hopes.

Game 4 Preview: Barcelona Aim to Close Out the Series

Barcelona will look to finish the job on Saturday, May 18, at 20:00 UTC (22:00 CEST) at the Santiago Martín Basketball Center in Tenerife. The Canarian crowd, known for their passionate support, will be a factor, but Barcelona’s experience in high-pressure moments should give them the edge.

Key Matchup to Watch:

• Mills vs. Gasol: The Australian guard will need another dominant performance to keep Tenerife in the series. Gasol, meanwhile, will be tasked with shutting him down in one-on-one situations.
• Defensive Intensity: Barcelona’s defense has been the x-factor in this series. If they can limit Tenerife to under 80 points (their average in the first three games), they’ll have a strong chance to win.
• Coaching Adjustments: Both teams will need to make changes. Tenerife’s bench has been crucial in their run—if they can get similar production, they’ll force a Game 5.

How to Watch: The game will be broadcast live on EuroLeague.tv (global) and FC Barcelona’s official channel (Spain).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happens if Barcelona win Game 4?
They’ll advance to the EuroLeague final, where they’ll face the winner of the other semifinal series (Real Madrid vs. Olympiacos).

Q: Who will Barcelona face in the final?
The other semifinal winner—Real Madrid or Olympiacos—will be determined by their series, which concludes on May 17 and 19.

Q: Is this Barcelona’s best EuroLeague team?
While they’ve had strong seasons before, this roster—with Gasol, Fofana, and Mirotić—is considered their deepest in years. Their ability to close out games has been a major improvement.

Q: What are the odds of Barcelona winning the EuroLeague?
According to sportsbooks, Barcelona are currently priced at +1.80 to win the tournament, slightly higher than Real Madrid (+1.60) but lower than Olympiacos (+2.20).

Reaction from the Bench

What This Means for Barcelona’s Season

With one foot in the final, Barcelona have a chance to rewrite their EuroLeague history. If they win the tournament, they’ll join a select group of teams to have won the Champions League (La Liga) and the EuroLeague in the same season—a feat last achieved by Real Madrid in 2018.

The road ahead isn’t easy. The final opponent will be a battle-tested team, and the pressure will be immense. But as tonight’s game proved, Barcelona have the depth, experience, and mental toughness to answer the call.