Real Madrid has punched its ticket to the EuroLeague Final Four. The Spanish powerhouse clinched its quarterfinal series against Hapoel Tel Aviv with a decisive 87-81 victory in Game 4, winning the best-of-five matchup three games to one.
The contest took place on Thursday, May 7th, at the Arena Botevgrad in Bulgaria. Real Madrid controlled the game for long stretches, building a lead through the middle quarters. They held a 46-36 advantage at halftime after a strong second quarter, and while Hapoel Tel Aviv fought back in the final period, outscoring Real 28-24, the deficit was too large to overcome.
Despite the loss, Hapoel Tel Aviv's American center Daniel Oturu delivered a spectacular individual performance. Oturu was named the game's most valuable player, stuffing the stat sheet with 29 points, seven rebounds, and one assist. His effort kept his team competitive throughout the contest.
For the victorious Real Madrid, Spanish center Usman Garuba led the charge. Garuba was the most efficient player for his side, contributing 16 points and six rebounds in the winning effort. His presence in the paint was crucial for Real's success.
This victory sends Real Madrid to the EuroLeague Final Four, the prestigious season-ending tournament where the top four teams compete for the championship. They will now await the results of the other quarterfinal series to learn their semifinal opponent.
The current EuroLeague champion is Fenerbahce. The Turkish club won last season's title by defeating Monaco in the final with a score of 81-70. Real Madrid will be aiming to dethrone them and claim the trophy for themselves.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.