Barça 90-97 Real Madrid: Honourable defeat

It wasn't to be. The Barça basketball team gave it their all in the EuroLeague El Clásico, which featured two periods of overtime and 50 minutes of non-stop action, but Real Madrid came away with a 90-97 win. Peñarroya's side were close to winning several times, but bad luck and the odd questionable decision saw the game go into a second period of overtime when the energy ran out.

Emotions high from the off

An El Clásico is always full of emotion and the first quarter didn't disappoint. The all-whites were more robust and made the most of a misfiring blaugrana attack, with Punter off his game early doors. Peñarroya called a time out and made changes to the defence to stymie the visitors, and Vesely scored eight points in a row to redress the balance. A foul by Youssoufa Fall allowed Real Madrid to go ahead just before the end of the quarter (17-22), but the tide was turning.

Second unit to the rescue

Peñarroya's second unit scored 7-0, making Chus Mateo call a time out (24-22). The Palau crowd were in the game and they were even more thrilled by Raul Neto making his debut. Even more so when he scored a triple, forced a foul and then made a great layup (31-25). A much more aggressive defence than in recent games saw the quarter going the blaugranes' way, with Vesely leading, and the score was 38-34 at the break with Real Madrid only having scored 12.

Parity remains

Both sides dropped off and were less effective after the restart. Barça had a slight lead until Hezonja started finding the net, the former blaugrana leading a 0-10, cut short by Brizuela and Abrines with a great triple. Everything to play for with the final quarter still to come (52-54). The Palau roared as four were scored and good defence wrestled possession from the all-whites (56-54).

Punter pulls out the stops

With one minute left everything was possible. Real Madrid responded with five straight points, but Parra blocked Tavares superbly to raise the home spirits. Punter returned for the final six minutes and did what was expected of him, strong scoring. His usual guard, Vesely, was having a great game and tied with a triple (61-61). The El Clásico could go either way. A triple by Punter tied the score again (66-66) and every score was huge with two minutes to go.

Punter led the way forcing and scoring three free throws (69-66). Great defence ended with a long rebound for Parker and Vesely stood tall to win a foul and two free throws, scoring one (70-66). Tavares then brought it back to one (70-69), and after a difficult score by Punter, a transition from Hezonja was signalled as a tie ball by the referees. A review confirmed the decision and Hezonja and Parker soared to try to win a ball that could decide the game.

All-whites lifeline

Punter won the ball and was fouled, and Anderson also claimed an unsportmanlike foul by Campazzo that the referees decided not to call despite examining the video. Punter scored the free throws (72-69), but Real Madrid had a 20-second lifeline. Tavares then scored an easy two (72-71).

Campazzo forces (the first) overtime

Parker again scored free throws (74-71), but this time Campazzo scored a triple with nine seconds to go to shock the Palau (74-74). Parker couldn't make a final triple and El Clásico went to overtime.

Punter forces the second

Overtime didn't start well for Barça, but Kevin Punter stepped up again to draw his side level (84-84). Either side could have won but the attacking was ineffective and chaotic. Onto the second period of overtime.

Gas runs out

The task was too tough for Barça by this point, the all-whites went 90-95 with 43 seconds to go, and a miracle was needed. A Brizuela triple effort didn't go in and it was all over. Barça gave everything they had, but ultimately the European El Clásico was lost (90-97). An honourable defeat.

Game stats

Barça 90
Real Madrid 97

Barça: Satoransky (0), Punter (27), Abrines (3), Parker (11) and Vesely (20) - starting five - Anderson (4), Brizuela (9), Núñez (7), Fall (2), Hernangómez (0), Neto (5) and Parra 82).

Real Madrid: Campazzo (18), Rathan-Mayes (6), Abalde (3), Hezonja (23) and Tavares (24) - starting five - Hugo González (-), Musa (9), Deck (3), Ibaka (2), Llull (6), Feliz (3) and N'Diaye (-).

Quarters: 17-22, 38-34, 52-54, 74-74; overtime 84-84, 90-97.

Referees: Sasa Pukl, Piotr Pastusiak and Saulius Racys.