Facu Campazzo’s late heroics helped Real Madrid secure a prestigious victory
Coach Scariolo turned second home debut into character win
Article
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 2 of 38
Regular Season
Real MadridRMB
8977
Olympiacos PiraeusOLY
Overview
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There were plenty of storylines surrounding the big showdown between Real Madrid and Olympiacos Piraeus. First, it was a rematch of last season’s playoff series, where the Reds eliminated Real Madrid with a road win at Movistar Arena. Second, it added another chapter to a historic rivalry highlighted by four EuroLeague Championship Games in 1995, 2013, 2015, and 2023.
Last but not least, Sergio Scariolo marked his second home debut with Real Madrid, the first time he has led Los Blancos in a home fixture since May 26, 2002. A lot has changed for both Real Madrid and Coach Scariolo in those 8,895 days, but both have consistently been winning in various competitions.
At first, things looked bleak as Olympiacos caught fire, sinking its first 7 three-point attempts en route to a 29-19 lead at the end of the first quarter.
“You just keep going. It was frustrating, very, very frustrating. You prepare for some individuals, for every team, that this might happen. And it can’t frustrate you enough that you stop playing hard,” Mario Hezonja said after the game. “So we just kept going and stuck to our plan. Later on, I think we took the edge, and it went in our favor.”
Shots stopped falling for Olympiacos – it made only one of its next 20 three-pointers – but the Reds still held a 64-69 lead at the end of the third quarter.
That’s when everything clicked for Real Madrid, fueled by an incredible home crowd. Los Merengues held their opponents scoreless for six minutes, with Trey Lyles and Andres Feliz sparking a 10-0 run that put Real Madrid ahead for good, 74-69. Olympiacos got as close as 74-73, but then playmaker Facu Campazzo took control.
Campazzo hit a pair of free throws, found Hezonja for a mid-range jumper, and nailed a floater that pushed Real Madrid further ahead, 80-73. He then connected with Walter Tavares for a one-handed slam and dished two more assists, allowing Hezonja and Gabriel Deck to extend the lead to double digits right at the buzzer.
It all happened fast. Campazzo returned to the floor with 3:44 left and led a decisive 15-4 run with four points and four assists. He finished with 9 points and 8 assists, while Hezonja led the winners with 18 points and Deck added 13.
“I think the turning point was still in the first half. The second quarter was way better. I think some of our guys were not aware of the defensive potential of this team, of these players,” Coach Scariolo said after the game. “So they were there, but not there enough. You have to be with your hand up every time, force them to dribble, contest every shot. We’re a brand-new team. Everything is basically new.”
Real Madrid next hosts LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in Round 3 on Thursday, October 9.