2006/07 Season

[Black Urum]

Real Madrid is just one win away from winning its 30th Spanish League title, as it leads 2-0 in the best-of-five title series against archrivals Winterthur FC Barcelona. On Tuesday, Real Madrid had to battle hard to edge Winterthur FCB 83-80 in Game 2 in front of 13,780 fans at Palacio Vistalegre in the Spanish capital, in one of the best games seen in Spain this season. Once again, Felipe Reyes paced the winners with 23 points and 7 rebounds. Louis Bullock added 21 points on 10-of-10 free throws for Madrid. Gianluca Basile led Barcelona with 18 points off the bench. Michalis Kakiouzis, who played 3 seconds in Game 1, added 17 and 8 rebounds, Juan Carlos Navarro had 14 points and Jaka Lakovic 11. It all came down to the final minute, in which Felipe followed back-to-back baskets with free throws for a 79-75 Madrid lead with 14 seconds to go. free throws by Bullock and a final layup by Blagota Sekulic sealed the outcome. Barcelona hosts Game 3 on Friday.

The game as a balanced one since the early going, as Lakovic hit one from downtown for a 9-9 tie midway through the opening quarter. Kerem Tunceri, Alex Mumbru and free throws by Charles Smith allowed Madrid to get a 19-14 margin, but Kakiouzis and Basile brought Barcelona within 23-21 after 10 minutes. Bullock and Raul Lopez stroke from downtown early in the second quarter, while Reyes dunked it to boost the hosts' lead to double digits, 35-25. Barcelona did not panic, however, as Denis Marconato and Kakiouzis fueled a 4-12 run to get the guests within 40-37 at halftime. Navarro stepped up after the break but Bullock, Reyes and Lopez still kept Madrid ahead throughout the third quarter. A final put-back basket by Reyes allowed Madrid to keep a 61-57 edge after 30 minutes. It didn't last long, however, as Kakiouzis kept pacing Barcelona while a corner triple by Lakovic put the guests ahead, 64-65, with 7 minutes to go. Free throws by Marconato gave Barcelona its last lead, 75-75. Reyes hit a four-meter shot, Kakiouzis' three-point shot went in and out while Reyes scored over Marconato for a 77-75 Madrid lead with 28 seconds to go. Navarro missed a five-meter shot while Reyes - who else? - made free throws that almost sealed the win, 79-75, with 14 seconds remaining. Basile and Bullock traded triples while a triple by Lakovic gave Barcelona some hope, 81-80. Sekulic scored with 1.4 seconds to go while Basile missed a desperation midcourt shot at the buzzer.

Game 1 Real Madrid vs. Winterthur FCB 69-62 June 17
Game 2 Real Madrid vs. Winterthur FCB 83-80 June 19
Game 3 Winterthur FCB vs. Real Madrid - June 22