Barça Regal - Real Madrid: Marcelinho the hero! (81-80)

Barça Regal won a game they had all but lost with a last gasp three pointer from Marcelinho Huertas that gave them a victory based on an incredible last quarter which they had started 12 points down (54-66) after being 17 points behind at the start of the third. The hard work from Navarro and Mickeal was rewarded with a fantastic three pointer from Marcelinho to make it 1-0 for Barça ahead of Friday evening’s second game.

Barça Regal chase the game

Madrid made the better start and took a quick 0-5 lead, which Barça Regal turned around with two quick counter attacks. But Madrid were looking comfortable and Tomic and Singler began to open up small leads, scoring 17 of Madrid’s 20 points in the first quarter.

Things stayed the same in the second half and Madrid took a maximum eight point lead (31-39) before Lorbek and Mickeal dragged Barça back to a 37-43 lead at the break.

Madrid take big lead

Barça Regal suffered even more in the third quarter, when their own scoring dried up – scoring just 4 points in 5 minutes, whilst Madrid chalked up 13 points to take a massive 17 point lead (43-60). Navarro led a mini fight back, but as the game went into the final quarter, Barça were 12 points down at 54-66.

Incredible comeback

Xavi Pascual’s men took five minutes to cut the difference to just 10 points and a three pointer from Lorbek and 6 more points from Mickeal left Regal Barça just 4 points adrift at 74-78 with just over three minutes to play. Now it was Madrid who were feeling the pressure as the Palau crowd turned up the volume and a tremendous block from Vázquez and a brilliant three pointer from Navarro took the scores to 78-78. Two free throws from Llull took Madrid ahead again before a touch of magic from Huertas with a long, long three pointer gave Barça an epic and astonishing win.