Real Madrid fell short in a dramatic second-half comeback bid against Hapoel, suffering a defeat that seals the worst start to an EuroLeague campaign in the club’s history with three losses in their opening three matches. Reporting from Spain, sports outlets detailed how the white-shirted side erased a 20-point deficit before fading down the stretch against an opponent powered by standout performances from Vasilije Micic and Bruno Caboclo.
A Deep Deficit and Early Struggles in the Opening Quarters
The visiting side labored through a stagnant first half, undone by defensive lapses. Hapoel capitalized immediately through the interior play of Zach Leday and Caboclo, whose early perimeter shooting—including four triples in four attempts by the center—left Real Madrid scrambling. Guard Theo Maledon attempted to steady the offense, trying to wake his teammates as the deficit ballooned to 20 points. Forward Okeke provided a brief spark with a scoring burst that trimmed the margin to nine points, but Micic’s court vision and relentless three-point shooting kept Hapoel firmly in control heading toward halftime.
The Third-Quarter Surge Led by Tavares and Luwawu-Cabarrot
Momentum shifted dramatically after the break as Real Madrid mounted a fierce rally. Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot became an offensive spearhead, slicing through the defensive line with accurate three-pointers while center Walter Tavares anchored the paint to punish Hapoel inside. Aided by several offensive fouls called against the hosts, the visitors erased their massive deficit entirely, taking the lead by the end of the third quarter.
Late-Game Collapse Against Micic and Hapoel’s Closers
The resurgence dissolved in the final ten minutes as Hapoel regrouped under pressure. Although Caboclo was expelled following a penetration by Jantunen, Micic and others steadied the home side. Consecutive baskets from Bryant and Micic restored a nine-point cushion, leaving Real Madrid out of breath in the game’s decisive moments and cementing a historic 0-3 start to their continental campaign.
Real Madrid Seeks First EuroLeague Victory
Real Madrid must quickly turn its attention toward domestic and continental recovery as the EuroLeague regular season continues. The team travels to face its next scheduled opponent on the tournament calendar, seeking its first victory of the European campaign to reverse the historic slump.
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