By Javier Molero/ jmolero@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid is set to play in its fourth Final Four in the last five years. Belgrade 2022, Kaunas 2023, Berlin 2024… and now Athens 2026. Alberto Abalde has been part of all of them, remaining a constant presence in the rotation and a key piece for both Chus Mateo and Sergio Scariolo in this Real Madrid side.
The Spanish forward spoke with Eurohoops before traveling to Greece about the battle for the title alongside Valencia Basket, Olympiacos and Fenerbahçe, highlighting the toughness of the competition, the demands that come with wearing the Madrid jersey, and the special affection he still holds for his semifinal opponent.
“Well, the highest level of expectation is simply what this jersey demands from you: to fight until the very end for every title. Reaching the Final Four is incredibly difficult. It’s such a long season, and the EuroLeague gets tougher every single year,” Abalde explained to Eurohoops.
“We say the same thing every year, but this year has been the toughest season I’ve ever played. There are unbelievable teams. Finishing in the top four to secure home-court advantage is extremely difficult, and then making that advantage count in the playoffs is complicated as well. The road is very long, and then you arrive at an event where the best teams are gathered and where absolutely anything can happen. We’re very happy with the journey we’ve had — more than the journey itself, with all the work that has gone into it. Those of us inside the team know how much work it has taken, and now it’s time to compete,” the Real Madrid forward added.
Numerous changes, same ambitions
Real Madrid has undergone a transformation this season worthy of mention. After a summer full of changes, the team finally seems to have clicked and found its best form at the most important stage of the campaign.
“We knew we were going through a medium-term growth process. I can’t say long-term because in one season you can’t really talk about the long term, but we knew there was huge room for improvement. With Sergio (Scariolo) arriving, we had many changes: a new playing system, a new defensive structure, new players… and all of that takes time. I think the team has gradually improved, we’ve started understanding each other better, and we’ve developed the automatisms needed to become a difficult team to beat and to reach the position we’re in now,” Abalde explained.
All of that work has led Madrid back to a Final Four — an event that makes everything else fade into the background.
“Honestly, when you reach a EuroLeague Final Four, you don’t think too much about what came before or what comes after. It may sound exaggerated, but in that moment, the world stops there,” the forward reflected.
“Afterwards, we’ll see what happens. But having the opportunity to be there and fight for a title like the EuroLeague is something unique. We’re focused only on being present, making every adjustment possible after all the roster changes we’ve had and the injuries to our two big men, so that we can be as prepared as possible and compete,” the Spanish international continued.
Affection for Valencia and a historic season
Real Madrid and Valencia Basket will face each other for the seventh time this season. With a 4–2 advantage for Sergio Scariolo’s side, the matchup has evolved into one of the defining rivalries of recent months. Abalde hopes to defeat his former club despite the historic feat Valencia achieved in the playoffs against Panathinaikos.
“I hope so. Valencia is simply an unbelievable team. It’s a club I have a lot of affection for. I spent three years there, and it’s a club that has been constantly growing. This year, they’re probably at their peak, at the height of an incredible season. They finished second while playing a style of basketball that has made everyone pay attention — the way they play, and also what they achieved against Panathinaikos, winning that series after losing home-court advantage in the first two games and then winning three straight. I think the only other time that had happened in history was our series against Partizan,” Abalde told Eurohoops.
“They’re a fantastic team and a very tough opponent. We’re going to have to play extremely well to beat them, and they deserve congratulations because they’ve had an outstanding run,” the Galician forward said about his former team.
His fourth Final Four — still something special
Abalde will play in his fourth Final Four with Real Madrid in just five years. Now experienced at this level, the Spanish forward still looks back fondly on his first appearance on European basketball’s biggest stage.
“I remember being extremely nervous in the first one, which was in Belgrade. I have a lot of memories from those experiences, especially the first time. After that, you know what to expect, but the first time really hits you — the tension and the magnitude of the moment,” the Real Madrid player recalled.
“It’s such an important moment, and there’s also the feeling that it may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You never know if you’ll get back there again, whether because your team reaches that level again or because you personally are part of a team capable of competing for it. It’s incredibly difficult. Only the very best earn the opportunity to play in a Final Four, and it’s a real privilege to wear this jersey and fight for this title,” he added.
Any preferred opponent for a potential final?
Asked about the possibility of looking ahead to the other semifinal, Abalde made it clear that all of Madrid’s attention is focused on Valencia Basket — a matchup he expects to be a true battle.
“We already have more than enough work ahead of us with our semifinal against Valencia. They’re an unbelievable team, and we’re going to have to be at a very high level — not just good, but really, really good — to beat them. They have so many weapons, they’re full of confidence right now, and we know there’s a huge amount of work ahead of us. Our entire focus is on our side of the bracket, and whatever happens on the other side will happen,” he concluded.