Dubai Basketball stun Real Madrid in 78-77 thriller

Dubai Basketball secured an exciting 78-77 victory over Real Madrid in their EuroLeague opener on Thursday night, thrilling the packed Coca-Cola Arena. The match showcased a hard-fought contest between the two teams, neither of which could gain a clear advantage. To pay respects to the late His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, both sides observed a minute of silence before tip-off.

Following the ceremony, Dubai took an early lead in the first quarter, winning 20-16 against Real Madrid. Real Madrid responded strongly in the second quarter, outscoring Dubai 28-18 and taking a 44-38 halftime lead. However, Dubai's performance improved after the restart, they staged a 25-18 third-quarter surge, bringing the score closer to parity.

The final 10 minutes were as intense as the first three quarters, with both teams scoring 15 points. Despite the pressure, Dubai remained composed, ultimately clinching the historic one-point triumph. Dwayne Bacon led Dubai with 24 points, while Mfiondu Kabengele and Filip Petrušev contributed defensively. After the game, Dubai Basketball head coach Xavi Pascual praised his players and acknowledged the passionate supporters who filled the arena for the opening game.

He expressed hope that this victory would spark a growing interest in basketball among Dubai residents, with Pascual stating, "I am sure that the people who came here enjoyed themselves a lot, so I am very happy for them. My sincere thanks to everyone for being here with us." Dubai Basketball will now focus on their next EuroLeague home fixture, facing FC Barcelona at Coca-Cola Arena on Tuesday, 29 September. Tickets for the match are available now.