By Alex Molina/ amolina@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid became the second finalist of the Liga Endesa Playoffs 2025 on Tuesday and will face Valencia Basket in the championship series. Los Blancos dominated in Madrid to take Games 1 and 2, and arrived in Málaga aiming to secure a victory that would put them in the Finals. It wasn’t on the first attempt but on the second, prevailing in Game 4 and putting an end to a historic season for the Malaga outfit.
An eventful post-game
Despite the loss, the Martin Carperna atmosphere was celebratory. The Intercontinental Cup, Supercopa, Copa del Rey, and Basketball Champions League titles were won in the 2024-25 season, a feat the Costa del Sol side will try to repeat next season… but with a very different team, as head coach Ibon Navarro confirmed that changes are on the way: “Some players will leave and others will come. They may be better or worse players, but the important thing is that we get the right people, which I think is the key.”
But those weren’t, by far, the most shocking statements from the Unicaja coach, who wanted to end the season without mincing his words.
It started with Balcerowski
After the Game 2 loss, Navarro demanded respect from the refereeing team, both on the court and in the press room, as well as throughout Movistar Arena.
The Unicaja boss complained about unequal and therefore unfair treatment of Olek Balcerowski, whom the referees handed a technical foul (when he had every reason to complain) without any warning, a surprising decision that wasn’t applied to the other side in very similar or even worse situations. And that’s it, all Navarro did, as he made clear yesterday in a press conference, was complain about the poor handling of one of his players’ emotions. No criticism of the referees, no accusations.
Kids involved
The matchups in Madrid were tense, as they should be between two teams fighting for a place in the Finals, but the home side’s superiority was such that there was no room for controversy over who was the rightful winner. But everything took off with the arrival in Málaga. The Andalusians prevailed after a thrilling finish in Game 3 that featured everything: home blood – first Sima and then Perry-, unsportsmanlike fouls, destruction of items in Martin Carpena, and a home victory. The atmosphere was already heated, and there were moments of high pressure in the Andalusian capital… and it wasn’t because of Chus Mateo.
Asked whether there was more tension than necessary in the series, the Real Madrid head coach made it clear on several occasions (and quite rightly so, since if there’s one thing he has always excelled at it’s exemplary conduct in this regard) that if that was the case, it wasn’t his doing. That he had nothing to do with it. That, for his part, no. And who was it then that was putting additional tension on the series? Well, it would have to be Navarro, since despite not mentioning him, Chus made it clear that he didn’t really like his actions, that he had a different style, one that would be positive for his children (insinuating that Ibon’s wasn’t good enough for his own?).
“For my part, I’m not putting it on. I choose the style I want, I always try to understand the refereeing. I choose the style I want my children to see when they listen to me.”
Delicate subject
It seems the father-son situation isn’t the best in Navarro’s family, as the Vitoria-born coach had to hold back tears when answering his counterpart on the Madrid bench. Visibly emotional, the Unicaja head coach accused Mateo of using a “cruel” example when talking about his children. It’s not entirely clear what Ibon’s problem with his children is. It could simply be a lack of closeness due to the distance between Vitoria and Málaga; the truth is, hardly anyone knows what it is, but it seems to be something much more serious. Ibon accused Chus of being fully aware of his personal situation and of not having seen the press conference that started it all, something that is possible since in no way were his statements serious enough to trigger this whole mess… and in which both coaches are right.
“I’m pretty sure Chus didn’t mean to mention the children; he knows my personal situation. At another time, he would have found a better example, more elegant, fairer, and less cruel. But if he still thinks it’s a good example, knowing my situation… As he said, everyone has their own style. I stand by what I’ve said in all my press conferences. I’m sure Chus hasn’t seen it, and if he has, then it’s worse. Much worse. To say that I’ve heated up this playoff… I have nothing more to say”.
Was Navarro right to demand respect for Balcerowski, given that he was treated unfairly and unequally? Yes. Did Navarro complain about the refereeing? No. Was Chus Mateo putting additional pressure? No. Does the Madrid coach have a style, before, during, and after games, worthy of being seen and heard by his children? Yes. Did Mateo know about Navarro’s delicate family situation and use his children’s example maliciously? We don’t know, and we’ll probably never know.
ACB Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best of three)
Real Madrid – Baskonia 2-0 (82-76, 112-103)
Unicaja – FC Barcelona 2-1 (97-101, 81-59, 97-95)
Valencia – Dreamland Gran Canaria 2-0 (98-74, 102-94)
La Laguna Tenerife – Joventut Badalona 2-0 (96-81, 80-60)
Semifinals (best of five)
Real Madrid – Unicaja 3-1 (99-81, 90-75, 84-86, 86-79)
Valencia – La Laguna Tenerife 3-0 (83-65, 105-74, 94-87)
Finals (best of five)
Real Madrid – Valencia 0-0