Real Madrid defeats Barcelona by single point in El Clasico

European Basketball fans had their eyes turned to the Spanish Liga Endesa this weekend as Real Madrid and Barcelona squared off in the latest El Clasico. The two biggest clubs in Spain and among the biggest on the continent have had contrasting fortunes this season, but Real Madrid and Barcelona delivered a typically frenetic contest on the hardwood on Sunday.

Of course, once heated rivalries and historic clashes are put aside, it is the result that is the most important. With that in mind, Real Madrid and its fans are in celebratory mood this evening after Los Blancos dispatched Barcelona with a 76-75 win.

As the scoreline suggests, it was an edgy game between two clubs that have had shaky domestic form of late. However, while Real Madrid’s Liga Endesa push has hit a blip, the team has continued to perform well in the EuroLeague. Barcelona’s issues seem far deeper and the club has struggled at home and abroad throughout the season.

With this result, Barca slips further down the standings and is now sixth with 15-7 record. Considering the club is also hanging low in the EuroLeague, this is a season of uncharacteristic poorness from the Catalan giant.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, is still pushing at the top with a 16-6 record while also snapping a three-game losing streak in the league. Incidentally, Iberostar Tenerife is still top of the league (18-5) after another huge win, defeating Estudiantes 63-82 on the road.

Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona, 76-75

The teams could not be separated through the first quarter as they shared buckets on the way to a 23-23 tie through ten minutes. Real Madrid found some momentum in the second quarter and drained 24 points, while Barcelona managed just 13. Through the long break, Los Blancos led 47-36. The visitors hit back in the third act with a 15-21 run that made it 62-57 through thirty minutes. Barca continued to press in the fourth act, and won the decider 14-18, which was ultimately not enough as the hosts held on for victory.

Barcelona will rue an undisciplined performance which resulted in 24 personal fouls and some easy grabs for Real Madrid.

Sergio Llull claimed 16 points and 7 assists to push Madrid’s offensive game, while Jaycee Carroll added 14 points. Othello Hunter was hot off the boards with 10 rebounds.

Stratos Perperoglou led Barcelona with 16 points, with Ante Tomic adding 14 points to the losing effort.