Real Madrid held off Baskonia and stormed the Buesa Arena in an erratic final quarter in which a recovery with a basket by Facundo Campazzo less than two minutes from time decided a clash that the locals could have won with a triple by Markus Howard in the premiere of the Euroleague (77-79).

It was a very physical match in which the whites, current champions, recovered from the losses of Edy Tavares and Gaby Deck and the fifth personal foul by Mario Hezonja in the third quarter.

The Real Madrid inside game, composed mainly of Vincent Poirier and Guerschon Yabusele, was very solid and took the witness of the great scoring success of the visiting outside players.

Argentine point guard Facundo Campazzo did not have his night, but he scored his only basket that was ultimately key in the white victory.

Chima Moneke and Matt Costello stood up to Chus Mateo's interiors and were the best of the Basques, among whom Tadas Sedekerskis stood out with 17 rating credits and where Nico Mannion took a step forward compared to the previous matches.

The duel began in the paint and then moved on to the outside shot, where Real Madrid achieved the first gains with a 0-6 partial thanks to the aim of Dzanan Musa and Guerschon Yabusele. Two triples from Matt Costello equalized the forces of a challenge that was picking up pace and speed.

The entry of Nico Mannion gave more rhythm to the Barça team who took a step forward with Chima Moneke and went ahead, 23-19.

Two triples from Llull completed a 4-15 with five consecutive triples for the whites who once again regained the initiative with an outstanding success in the outside shot. Chus Mateo opted for an inside game formed by Guerschon Yabusele and Mario Hezonja, which provided second options for the Vitorians, who entered the match.

Even Alberto Abalde acted as the “four” in the absence of white players after Mario Hezonja's fourth personal foul.. The game took on a point of madness that favored the locals, who took advantage from the free throw and the offensive rebound, but Baskonia remained in front, 47-43.

Real Madrid cooled the duel with a 0-10 start. Codi Miller-McIntyre tied Argentine Facundo Campazzo short, but Chus Mateo's men found solutions through the low post of Frenchman Vincent Poirier, who scored seven points, including a triple.

From there it was a give and take. Every positive action by the Madridistas was responded to by an active Matt Costello who caused the Basques to embrace their rival once again on the scoreboard.

The fifth foul by Mario Hezonja (min.27) gave way to the maximum local advantage, 65-58, which remained at 67-62, with a basket by Moneke that closed the third round.

Real Madrid punished the local errors on the counterattack and regained an important advantage, but the Basques reacted in time to maintain the lead. However, the whites remained calm and with a three-pointer from Guerschon Yabusele they equalized a game plagued by errors in the hot moments, 75-75.

Facundo Campazzo went into action with everything to decide and recovered a key ball to put his team ahead. Chus Mateo's men were unable to close the game against two good Barça defenses, but Markus Howard failed to score the triple to win, 77-79.