Campazzo and Tavares go through Real championship teams, applauds Fernandez / News - Basketnews.com

Walter Tavares says the current Real Madrid team is much better than last year's EuroLeague winning team.

Credit: Angel Martinez via Getty Images Credit Angel Martinez via Getty Images

Facundo Campazzo dishes a no-look over-the-head pass, and Walter Tavares slams it down. 50 seconds later, Facu delivers another no-look dime to Tavares, and the center makes an easy two-hand slam. This sequence helps Real Madrid to build a double-digit lead in the third quarter.

Player of the Game EFF 33 Facundo Campazzo Points 24 Accuracy 7-9 Rebounds 4 Assists 7

The dynamic duo proves to be relentless, continuously pressuring the opponent's defense with their unique chemistry, and Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz have felt that twice over 48 hours.

On Thursday night, Real produced yet another solid 101-90 performance, taking a 2-0 series advantage over the fellow Spanish team.

Campazzo led the charge with 24 points and 7 assists, while Tavares contributed with 10 points and 9 rebounds, showcasing the same marvelous partnership that led them to EuroLeague glory in 2018.

Facu arrived in Madrid earlier than Tavares and managed to lift the 2015 EuroLeague trophy, too. However, he missed out on last season's success while playing for Crvena Zvezda.

Campazzo's previous stint with Real included playing alongside EuroLeague stars like Luka Doncic, Felipe Reyes, Gustavo Ayon, Jaycee Carroll, Jonas Maciulis, and others.

"It's a different team. It's impossible to compare those teams," Campazzo responded to BasketNews when asked about comparing championship teams (2015, 2018) with the current Real squad. "We have different players, a different kind of system, and a different kind of play [now]. It's a different team, but same goals. If you play for Real Madrid, you have to play for important things or at least be in the game, which gives you a championship."

Meanwhile, Tavares made it clear: this year's Real team is superior to last year's, especially with Campazzo's return to the roster.

"I think we are much better than last year, and I think we are more of a complete team," Tavares highlighted. "Not to take anything from last year, but we are Real Madrid. We are going to try to fight until the end. It doesn't matter what players are on our team. We are always going to try to win everything."

Walter Tavares

MIN:22.7PTS:9.52 (65.23%)REB:6.42As:1.52ST:0.74BL:1.42TO:1.74GM:31ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

This is what sets this Real Madrid team apart, up 13 points with 30 seconds to go, Campazzo dived three times to get the ball for his team.

"I think we worked so hard during the season to be ready for these kinds of games," the Argentine guard said. "It's a long season, of course; it's going to be some ups and downs, but, in the end, if you work well during the season, good things happen in the playoffs.

"We have been doing that in the season, we have been working, we have had some tough losses and good wins, but we are trusting the process and what we are working on, so now we are ready to play hard."

Tavares agreed that Los Blancos had indeed activated their playoff mode.

"Of course. It's a long season for us," he noted. "It's normal that we relaxed in the EuroLeague [at the end of the regular season]. Now, it's the playoffs. We gotta step up, we gotta try to win one more game. This is going to help us be more confident."

If Real secure that extra win in Vitoria, it would mean that Game 2 in Madrid marked the final EuroLeague home game for Spanish legend Rudy Fernandez. The latter had previously announced his retirement following national team duties in the summer.

Credit ZUMAPRESS.com - Scanpix

The 39-year-old began his professional path in 2002 and has been a part of Real since the 2012-13 season. During this time, he clinched the EuroLeague championship three times (in 2015, 2018, and 2023), sharing the court with Campazzo and Tavares during these memorable victories.

"He is a legend. I have played so many games with him, and I think he is one of the best players in Europe," Campazzo praised the Spaniard. "He only thinks about the team, and you cannot find so many players like that. We gotta enjoy. We gotta enjoy these games left. We have to enjoy every game with him."

"The memories with Rudy are always great," Tavares added his thoughts. "He is my favorite player in Real Madrid. I think he is the most complete player I have ever played with. He is a great player to be on defense with. He is great in the locker room, a great leader, always trying to cheer for us, and always trying to correct us to be great. We are going to miss him a lot."

With just three more wins standing between them and a potential fourth EuroLeague title, Real Madrid aim to give Fernandez the ultimate retirement gift.

The upcoming Game 3 against Baskonia presents an opportunity to edge closer to this goal, with the Royal team poised to continue their back-to-back championship pursuit on the road.

Game 3 will take place at Fernando Buesa Arena and tip off at 20:30 CEST on Wednesday.

Real-Baskonia Game 2 highlights:

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