In Belgrade, Real Madrid (Spain) defeated Fenerbahçe (Istanbul, Turkey) to claim the 2018 Turkish Airlines Euroleague. They become the first team to win the title 10 times. The young superstar Luka Doncic is elected MVP of the Final Four. The French player Fabien Causeur finished top scorer of Real (17 pts) during this final.
Real Madrid 85 – 80 Fenerbahçe
With “La Décima” (10th), Real Madrid is now more than ever the most title basketball club in Europe in this competition: 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1974, 1978, 1980, 1995, 2015 and 2018. CSKA Moscou and Maccabi Tel-Aviv are following the Spanish club with 7 and 6 titles.
After eliminating the favorite of the competition: CSKA Moscow, Fenerbahçe was standing in front of the Spanish team. Fenerbahçe, the other favorite of the competition was ready for a back-to-back championship with the legendary coach Željko Obradović.
Amazing atmosphere, strong performance by Real Madrid
The final four was played in Belgrade (Serbia) which is basketball land for all fans in Europe. The Belgrade Arena was packed with basketball Fenerbahçe fans. Indeed, more than 12,000 Fenerbahçe fans came to see the Final Four.
The atmosphere was incredible and the final was starting at a high pace. In the first half, the first half is balanced and both teams are playing at the same level. At the break, Fenerbahçe is going to the locker room with a 2 points lead (40-38) over Real Madrid. After the halftime, the Turkish player missed a lot of opportunities to score. Nicolo Melli has a great game for Fenerbahçe with a game-high 28 points. He was the only one keeping Fenerbahçe alive through the game.
Fabien Causeur and the Real Madrid started to play spectacular offensively in the third quarter. Along with the Real Madrid players, the Spanish team was taking control over the game. In the 4th quarter, Real Madrid is leading but their advance is shrinking at the end of the game. While the gap is only three points, Fabien Causeur missed his two crucial free throws to lock the win. Trey Thompkins was on guard to take the two points on the second attempt and a decisive advantage.
Slovenian superstar Luka Dončić named Final Four MVP and Euroleague MVP
The 19-year-old, a potential No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, had 15 points, four assists, and three rebounds in Euroleague final. He became the youngest player ever to win that award. Along with these two awards, he also became the first Slovenian to win a EuroLeague title and the youngest ever player to win the Final Four MVP.
Full results of this weekend – Final Four
Final Four ranking:
- Real Madrid Baloncesto
- Fenerbahçe
- Žalgiris Kaunas
- CSKA Moscow
Final – Sunday, May 20, 2018
Real Madrid 85–80 Fenerbahçe
Final for the 3rd place – Sunday, May 20, 2018
CSKA Moscow 77–79 Žalgiris Kaunas
Semi-finals – Saturday, May 18, 2018
Real Madrid 92–83 CSKA Moscow
Fenerbahçe 76–67 Žalgiris Kaunas
Final Four MVP and All-EuroLeague Team
MVP
Luka Dončić (SLO) – Real Madrid Baloncesto
All-Euroleague Team
Nick Calathes (GRE/Panathinaikos)
Nando de Colo (FRA/CSKA Moscow)
Luka Dončić (SLO/Real Madrid)
Tornike Shengelia (GEO/Kirolbet Baskonia)
Jan Veselý (CZE/Fenerbahçe)
