Dubai BC Stuns Real Madrid in Historic EuroLeague Victory
By Hassan Abdel Aal
DUBAI, UAE – In a landmark night for Middle Eastern basketball, Dubai Basketball Club secured a commanding 93–85 victory over powerhouse Real Madrid. The Round 27 EuroLeague clash, held at a sold-out Coca-Cola Arena, marked the first full-capacity crowd of the season, creating an electric atmosphere for the hosts.
The game began as a tactical chess match. Real Madrid asserted dominance early, closing the first quarter with a 19–11 lead. However, Dubai began to find their rhythm in the second period, steadily eroding the deficit. The momentum shifted decisively in the third quarter, where Dubai exploded for 32 points against Madrid’s 24, seizing a lead they would refuse to relinquish until the final buzzer.
Clinical Execution
While both teams were neck-and-neck in field goal percentage—Dubai at 44.3% and Madrid at 44.4%—the game was won at the charity stripe and beyond the arc. Dubai displayed elite composure, converting 23 of 27 free throws (85.2%), while the Spanish giants struggled, hitting just 12 of 19 (63.2%). From long range, Dubai’s efficiency (33.3% on 8/24) outclassed Madrid’s cold shooting night of 25.7% (9/35).
Key Performers
Several standout performances fueled Dubai’s upset:
- Dzanan Musa: Led the charge with a clinical 20 points.
- Filip Petrušev: Dominated the paint with 16 points and 6 rebounds.
- Taylor Taylor (Wright): Anchored the backcourt with 16 points and 4 assists.
- Dwayne Bacon: Contributed a vital 15 points.
- Bruno Caboclo: Added double-digit grit with 11 points.
A New Era for UAE Basketball
The coaching staff praised the collective resilience of the roster, noting that toppling a titan like Real Madrid is a defining milestone in the club’s continental journey. Players were quick to credit the “sixth man,” citing the deafening home crowd as the catalyst for their second-half surge.
This victory is more than just a notch in the win column; it signals the rapid evolution of basketball in the UAE. By hosting and defeating the world’s elite, Dubai has firmly established its status as a rising powerhouse on the European stage.
