By Alex Molina / info@eurohoops.net
Throughout the derby-filled Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, Eurohoops will take a deep dive into the history of those games, starting with one of the most classic marquee matchups on the planet.
Round 2 brings the first of those, as FC Barcelona will host Real Madrid in the first EuroLeague clásico of the season, a clash that needs no introduction between two of the greatest teams in European basketball.
For the occasion, Eurohoops has chosen five of the top clásicos that have been played in Barcelona, a selection of games that will forever be remembered and have a special part in the lore of what is arguably the biggest rivalry in basketball.
FC Barcelona 93-80 Real Madrid – 2021/22
The star from our first choice will be absent from Thursday’s game, unfortunately. The last time Barça and Real Madrid met in Barcelona, Nikola Mirotic absolutely stole the show with an unforgettable performance. He finished the night with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and a 39 PIR to give Barça the win against a resilient opponent. Managing to lose by just 13 points while having to deal with such a display is admirable, and Real Madrid even made it an 8-point game with 1:18 to play. But the Montenegrin, a former Real Madrid player, was simply too much and ended the game scoring the last five points for his team and sealing the win.
FC Barcelona 84-71 Real Madrid – 2004/05
From the last clásico to (almost) the first one. For the first time since 1996, Barça and Real Madrid played against each other in a European competition. Things were as tight as it gets until 24-year-old Juan Carlos Navarro exploded. ‘La Bomba’ took over in the last quarter and ended up having the second-best game of his Euroleague career against the archrival: 20 points (including 14-for-14 from the foul line), 4 rebounds, and 3 assists for a 32 PIR. Already in his last season with Barça, Dejan Bodiroga also had a great match with a 29 PIR, but that game was the perfect example of Barça entering Navarro’s era.