Barcelona Vs Real Madrid Basketball Head To Head
Barcelona and Real Madrid are two of the biggest basketball clubs in Spain, if not the world. Their rivalry on the court is a reflection of their fierce rivalry in football, and the basketball matches between these two teams always generate a lot of excitement and interest among fans.
History of the Rivalry
The rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid in basketball began in 1929 when both clubs played each other in a friendly game. Since then, they have played each other numerous times in various competitions, including the Spanish League, the Copa del Rey, and the EuroLeague.
The head-to-head record between these two teams is very close, with both Barcelona and Real Madrid winning almost an equal number of matches. As of 2021, they have played each other 236 times, with Barcelona winning 116 matches and Real Madrid winning 120.
Memorable Matches
Over the years, there have been several memorable matches between Barcelona and Real Madrid in basketball. Some of the most notable ones include:
1984 Copa del Rey Final
In the final of the 1984 Copa del Rey, Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 87-86 in overtime. The match is remembered for the performance of Fernando Martin, who had 37 points and 13 rebounds for Real Madrid.
2013 ACB Playoffs Semi-Finals
The semi-finals of the 2013 ACB playoffs were a classic encounter between Barcelona and Real Madrid. The series went to a deciding match, which Real Madrid won 85-81. Sergio Llull was the star of the show for Real Madrid, scoring 21 points.
2019 Copa del Rey Final
The final of the 2019 Copa del Rey was another classic encounter between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Barcelona won the match 94-93 after a last-second three-pointer from Thomas Heurtel. The match also saw Jaycee Carroll of Real Madrid become the all-time leading scorer in the Copa del Rey.
The Players
Over the years, both Barcelona and Real Madrid have had some of the best basketball players in the world in their teams. Some of the players who have played for both clubs include:
Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol is one of the most successful basketball players to have played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid. He began his career with Barcelona in 1998, and helped them win two Spanish League titles and the EuroLeague in 2003. He then moved to the NBA, but returned to Spain in 2011 to play for Real Madrid during the NBA lockout. He helped Real Madrid win the Spanish Cup and reach the quarterfinals of the EuroLeague.
Nikola Mirotic
Nikola Mirotic began his professional career with Real Madrid in 2008, and helped them win two Spanish League titles and the EuroLeague in 2015. He then moved to the NBA, but returned to Spain in 2019 to play for Barcelona. He has been one of the key players for Barcelona in recent years, helping them win the Spanish League and the Copa del Rey in 2021.
Conclusion
The rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid in basketball is just as intense as their rivalry in football. The head-to-head record between these two teams is very close, and the matches between them always generate a lot of excitement and interest among fans. With some of the best basketball players in the world having played for both clubs, it is no wonder that these two teams are considered among the best in Europe.