A hyped-up Málaga entered the semi-final match with the same energy as the match against Barcelona. Thanks to tight defense and a high shooting percentage, they were able to keep pace with the favored Real for a full twenty minutes.
After halftime, the “White Ballet” players allowed their opponents to bounce back to a fourteen-point deficit. And the basketball players, currently fifth in the ACB league, kept their lead until the final whistle.
The winning team was mainly supported by the Bulgarian native David Kravish, who recorded 20 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist, and the American trio of Osetkowski, Carter and Kalinoski. The performance of the Euroleague’s best blocker didn’t help Madrid either Walter Tavarese.
The most successful club in history and the holder of 27 cup titles will not claim another final participation. On the other hand, Málaga will reach the final of the Copa del Rey competition for the fourth time and will try to follow up on the only triumph from 2005. In their way are the players of Tenerife, who sensationally controlled the last seconds of the match against Badalonia.
Tenerife’s basketball players could speed up their progress already after the second ten-minute period, when they built up to a thirteen-point lead. The three-point shootout was also performed by the home players of Juventut Badalona, who once again caught up with their semi-final opponent with twelve points in a row.
The subsequent tug of war for the lead played better in the last seconds for Badalona. After a deliberate foul by the winger’s feet Aaron Doornekamp had a home advantage of two free throws and possession at 71-71.
However, Andreas Feliz converted only one six-pointer and subsequently did not even hit a three-point shot. On the contrary, Bruno Fitipaldo encouraged his teammate Elgin Cook with an alley oop action with a strong rebound and transition to the attack, who with his first basket of the match less than four seconds before the end decided Tenerife’s win.
The teams will play the final match of the “King’s Cup” on Sunday from 19:00. The live broadcast is exclusively broadcast by ČT sport Plus.
