Gipuzkoa Basket edged regional rivals Iraurgi SB 95–92 in a pulsating Club Friendship encounter on 10 September 2026, with the away side coming through a back-and-forth battle that was decided in the final minute.

Basque derby delivers preseason drama

For a friendly tournament fixture, this had the intensity of a full league derby. Iraurgi SB, representing Azpeitia in Spain’s lower professional tiers, pushed their more decorated Basque neighbours all the way. The hosts matched Gipuzkoa Basket’s tempo for long stretches and even seemed to hold the momentum entering the closing exchanges, but Gipuzkoa’s superior depth and late-game execution ultimately told.

Key moments

• Iraurgi built a seven-point cushion in the second quarter with a torrid stretch from beyond the arc, forcing Gipuzkoa into a timeout.
• Gipuzkoa responded before halftime with a 9–0 run, pulling level at the break and setting up a tense second half.
• The fourth quarter featured five lead changes, with Iraurgi hitting a clutch three to make it a one-possession game with under 20 seconds to play.
• Gipuzkoa kept their composure at the free-throw line, closing out a 95–92 victory on the road.

Tactical story

Iraurgi’s energy and ball pressure caused early problems, while Gipuzkoa relied on experienced perimeter play to control the pace. The visitors shot efficiently in the paint and did just enough on the defensive glass to prevent Iraurgi from converting their offensive rebounds into second-chance points. In the end, the difference came down to late-possession patience: Gipuzkoa generated cleaner looks in the clutch and protected the ball when it mattered.

What this means in preseason buildup

For Iraurgi SB, this was a highly encouraging performance against higher-level opposition and suggests their squad is already sharpening into competitive shape. For Gipuzkoa Basket, the narrow win provides useful adversity ahead of more demanding fixtures, particularly in the areas of transition defence and closing out tight games. Club Friendship results may not count in any standings, but the intensity on display signals that both teams are taking their preparation seriously.