By Alex Molina / info@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are among the most important teams in Europe, and together they contest one of the fiercest and most historic derbies on the continent.
For the second time this season, Los Blancos and the Blaugrana will face each other in the EuroLeague, making this the perfect moment to relive the best matchups between the two rivals.
Due to this Friday’s highly anticipated Real Madrid – Barça clash in the EuroLeague, Eurohoops has taken a look back at five unforgettable Clásicos from the competition’s regular season. These iconic matchups have defined eras, delivered unforgettable moments, and showcased the intensity and rivalry that make this duel one of the greatest in European basketball.
FC Barcelona 93-80 Real Madrid – 2021-22
One of Nikola Mirotic’s standout displays against Real Madrid in a Barça jersey came a few seasons ago, when he delivered a performance that fans still remember vividly. The Montenegrin forward dominated the night with 31 points and 10 rebounds for a 39 PIR, leading Barcelona to a hard-fought victory.
Despite facing such an inspired opponent, Real Madrid showed resilience and even cut the deficit to 8 points with 1:18 remaining. However, Mirotic – a former Madrid player – had the final say, scoring his team’s last 5 points to put the game away.
Real Madrid 97-73 FC Barcelona – 2014-15
After many years without being crowned European champion and watching its eternal rivals already amass two EuroLeague titles, Real Madrid finally returned to continental glory. In the 2014–15 season, Los Blancos captured their first EuroLeague title of the modern era, and during that regular season, they recorded one of their biggest wins over Barça, led by a clear protagonist. Rudy Fernández delivered the best EuroLeague performance of his career, posting 22 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals for a 38 PIR – his highest rating in the competition.
Real Madrid 86-87 FC Barcelona – 2015-16
However, the following season, the showdown between the two teams in the Spanish capital ended with a smile for the Blaugrana. Justin Doellman capped off an outstanding night with 24 points by hitting an unforgettable buzzer-beater to defeat Real Madrid.
A true last-second specialist, the American forward was the one who sealed the win for Barça, providing one of the few bright moments for culé fans during a period when the club lagged behind its historic rival.
FC Barcelona 74-101 Real Madrid – 2017-18
While Barcelona largely ruled the rivalry throughout the 2000s and early 2010s, the balance of power clearly shifted midway through the following decade. With Pablo Laso at the helm, Real Madrid established a true dynasty in Spain and translated that dominance onto the European stage.
A clear example came during the 2017-18 regular season, when Los Blancos claimed an authoritative win at the Palau Blaugrana, featuring six scorers in double figures. That statement victory arrived just weeks before Madrid lifted the EuroLeague trophy in Belgrade, underlining that a new era had firmly begun.
FC Barcelona 63-102 Real Madrid – 2016-17
Even so, that win pales in comparison to another unforgettable clash. Despite an impressive showing from Tyrese Rice, who posted 23 points and 5 assists, Real Madrid handed Barcelona its heaviest-ever defeat, cruising to a record 39-point victory.
The gap had stretched to a staggering 47 points at one stage (54–101) before Barça closed the night with a late 9–1 run. Anthony Randolph, returning to Palau Blaugrana after knocking Barça out with Lokomotiv Kuban the previous season, was dominant on both ends, finishing with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks — including a legendary rejection on Joey Dorsey. Sergio Llull and Jaycee Carroll added 20 and 19 points, respectively, capping off the most emphatic Clásico win in EuroLeague history.