Anadolu Efes Istanbul opened their EuroLeague season with a confident 94-84 victory over Real Madrid at a roaring Sinan Erdem Dome, handing the Spanish giants an early defeat in the race for playoff positioning. The Turkish side controlled the second half with a patient half-court offense and a defensive effort that forced Madrid into contested jump shots down the stretch.

Match Overview

Efes led for the majority of the night but never fully shook off a Madrid team that threatened twice in the third quarter. The hosts' ball movement and offensive rebounding proved decisive, allowing them to pull away in the final six minutes.

• Final score: Anadolu Efes Istanbul 94 – 84 Real Madrid
• Venue: Sinan Erdem Dome, Istanbul
• Competition: EuroLeague regular season
• Quarter scores (Efes – Madrid): 24-20, 22-20, 23-24, 25-20

Key Moments

The turning point arrived midway through the third quarter, when Madrid cut the deficit to a single possession behind a flurry of transition baskets. Efes answered immediately with a 9-0 run built on two corner three-pointers and a fast-break dunk, restoring a double-digit cushion that they never surrendered.

In the fourth, Madrid's offense stalled against switching pick-and-roll coverage. With the shot clock winding down on multiple possessions, the visitors settled for long-range attempts, and Efes converted the resulting misses into easy points at the other end. Free-throw shooting in the closing three minutes sealed the result.

Tactical Story

Efes leaned heavily on their pick-and-roll game, dragging Madrid's big men away from the rim and opening driving lanes for their guards. When the defense collapsed, the ball was kicked out to shooters on the wings, generating a steady stream of open looks from beyond the arc.

Madrid's response was to attack the paint through their centers, and they enjoyed a productive stretch on the offensive glass. However, their perimeter shooting was inconsistent, and turnovers in the open court gave Efes extra possessions that proved costly. The visitors also struggled to contain Efes in transition, conceding several quick baskets after long rebounds.

Standout Performers

• Efes backcourt: Efficient shooting and control of tempo, combining for the bulk of the team's assists while limiting turnovers in the fourth quarter.
• Efes frontcourt: Physical presence on the boards and timely finishing around the rim, particularly during the decisive third-quarter run.
• Real Madrid: Their centers were the most reliable offensive outlet, scoring consistently inside, while the guards struggled to find rhythm from three-point range.

Season Impact

The win gives Efes an important early confidence boost and a valuable head-to-head advantage should the two clubs finish close together in the EuroLeague standings. For Madrid, the loss is a reminder that road games in Istanbul remain among the toughest assignments on the European calendar. Both teams continue their EuroLeague schedules with quick turnarounds, and the rematch in Spain later in the season will carry significant weight in the playoff picture.