From Efes to Efes, Real Madrid had inhabited a mirage, deceptive like all of them.

In 20 days, he seized on life in Europe with heroics like Fenerbahçe and even gave himself the pleasure of knocking Barça down at the Palau.

But if the whites were stiff that March 30 at WiZink, worse symptoms now without Deck,

devastated at Sinan Erdem

in the game that opened the quarterfinals after a terrible second half.

[90-63: Narration and statistics]

It was a reality check, because it all had to do with impotence.

It is true that this group already has among its collection of deeds other epic resurrections, such as

that of 2018 against Panathinaikos

that would end with the Tenth in Belgrade.

But neither is this Madrid the one nor the Efes seems willing to be traced.

Everything was resolved at the beginning of the last act, when Madrid was unable to score or contain the Turkish roller, who hurt without fanfare, without even needing the genius of

Shane Larkin

.

Simply with its well-oiled mechanisms, with the offensive rebound as white torture.

Five Turkish players exceeded ten;

Madrid could barely score 23 points in the entire second half, garbage minutes included.

Before the sinking, there had been a time when he did compete, although he knew little. Faced with the major challenge, aware that the "you to you" against Efes is deadly -the WiZink had a recent review-, Laso resorted to imaginative solutions. It was about trying to hit first, as a warning to sailors. But also to insert a new part into your gear. And that's where

Tristan Vukcevic

, a recent hero at the Palau, appeared at the age of 18 making his Euroleague debut.

It was a good sunrise, despite the fact that the youth squad paid for the hazing with two quick fouls.

A 0-8 with

the leading role of Laprovittola

, in these full days in which he lives aware that he has no future at Real Madrid.

Efes quickly reacted, finding their usual scoring rhythm led by Beaubois (14 points at halftime), one of their many demons.

In that impasse, before the break, Madrid put out the first fire.

He may well have broken, but he gritted his teeth with

Garuba's claw

, capable of defending even Micic all over the court.

And, above all, he took refuge in the success.

The triple had been his great ally in recent days ... Until he disappeared.

But the whole house of cards collapsed around the dressing room, as if all the lights in Istanbul had suddenly gone out. The aim was lost, a basket in seven minutes. And a surprise guest appeared. It is true that

Sertac Sanli

, a rough-looking giant who had never been heard of, had been doing the season of his life at Efes, Ataman's discovery until Tibor Pleiss was thrown out of the rotation. But before Tavares, who seemed limping all afternoon, he put on his boots with that mixture of impudence and ambition.

It was not Larkin who was the executor, it was Sanli, who multiplied in both rings, intimidating and scoring from the outside and from the inside, unbalancing a Madrid that was sinking into quicksand: with Micic conducting the orchestra (he had a shock in his knee), Efes shot up (62-45) and, in the blink of an eye, it was all over.

On Thursday, second round at Sinan Erdem.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Madrid

  • Real Madrid

  • Europe

  • Euroleague

EuroleagueReal Madrid, with a heroic Tavares, clings to life

EuroleagueThe best Real Madrid resurfaces in the abyss: exhibition in Istanbul and quarterfinals

Euroleague 2020 - 2021 Laso's other games without a net for Real Madrid: "That week the tension is noticeable even at home with the family"

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