Real Madrid surviving a mental error of Mario Hezonja creates tension but not to captain Sergio Llull
By Javier Molero/ [email protected]
Mario Hezonja was the top player for Real Madrid in a narrow win against Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv in Arena Botevgrad on Tuesday, but a late mistake nearly overturned his efforts.
With nine seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, and his side holding on to a one-point lead, the 30-year-old Croatian combo forward pulled down an offensive rebound after a missed two-pointer by Theo Maledon, and went on to casually shoot a long-range three himself, apparently thinking that the previous attempt did not hit the rim and that the shot clock had expired, but that was not the case. Despite gifting three seconds to the opponents, Los Blancos secured the win.
Even in the postgame press conference following the Round 13 contest of the 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season, head coach Sergio Scariolo was unsure about the chaotic end and whether the clock had reset or not.
Despite eventually prevailing and jumping to 7-6 before the FIBA window break, there was some ensuing tension on the bench. Facundo Campazzo confronted Hezonja, but team captain Sergio Llull quickly intervened, mainly to remind his teammates that Madrid won. The 38-year-old combo guard followed up with supporting and perhaps a little trolling post on his X account, with several elongated ‘Super Mario’ chants plus a note on a great win for his team.
Back in action after the international pause and the launch of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers, the team based in the Spanish capital visits Anadolu Efes in Istanbul’s Turkcell Basketball Development Center on December 4.
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