Nando De Colo CSKA Moscow
Photo: EuroLeague Basketball

CSKA Moscow survived Real Madrid in a dramatic game (95-90) and will face Anadolu Efes in the Championship Game on Sunday (19/05).

In a late thriller in Vitoria, the match was decided in the final minute. Nando De Colo scored five straight points to bring his team close to the win (89-85).

Rudy Fernandez kept Real alive (89-87) and Sergio Llull made a crazy three-pointer to make it an one-point game (91-90), with 14 seconds to go.

But, Cory Higgins made four straight free throws and sealed the deal for the Russians, as Llull missed the game-tying three-pointer (95-90).

De Colo (23 points), Sergio Rodriguez (23 points) and Will Clyburn (18 points) combined for 64 points for the winners.

Five players scored in double figures for the losing squad, with Fabien Causeur having a team-high 18 points.

It was a close game in the first quarter, with Real Madrid being in front by four (18-22). Later, the “Whites” retained their advantage, but Clyburn made the three-pointer and cut the deficit to two for the Muscovites at halftime (43-45).

After that, Real took over. The visitors went on a 7-16 run and earned a double-digit lead (50-61). However, CSKA turned things around again. The Russians went on a 30-19 run of their own in the fourth quarter and tied the game (80-80).

CSKA stepped up in the remaining minutes and will return to the Championship Game for the first time since 2016.