Real Madrid Baloncesto was founded in 1932 as a division of the Real Madrid club. They play in the Asociacion de Clubes de Baloncesto (ACB) and has been the most successful team in Spanish and European basketball history. The Real Madrid squads have won a record 30 ACB championships, including a record ten consecutive victories between 1968 and 1977. In a remarkable run between 1960 and 1980, they only failed to win the ACB twice. They have also won the Copa del Rey on 22 occasions, the Saporta Cup a record 4 times and four Intercontinental Cups. Real also has a record eight victories in the Euroleague Championships and have won two Triple Crowns. Star players have included: Arvydas Sabonis, Drazen Petrovic, Mirza Delibasic, Dejan Bodiroga and Drazen Dalipagic.
With such a magnificent record of success, it is no wonder that Real Madrid is regarded as one of the giants of the game. For over fifty years, Madrid has been a standard-bearer in European basketball, accumulating a record eight continental titles during its dominance in the 1960’s. When unsuccessful in the Euroleague, Madrid has invariably won domestic trophies. In the 1984 Cup Winners’ Cup, Madrid downed Milano on free throws by Brian Jackson and in the 1989 final Petrović had 62 points against Snaidero Caserta in one of Europe’s classic encounters. Madrid added a 1988 Korać Cup title against Cibona, and a 1992 Saporta Cup trophy against PAOK thanks to a buzzer-beating jumper by Rickey Brown. It was not until Sabonis arrived in Madrid when Real won its most recent Euroleague title in 1995, beating Olympiacos in the final. Madrid still won the 1997 Saporta Cup title against Verona, but no more European trophies followed.
Madrid have continued to be hugely successful domestically, winning Spanish League titles in 2000 and 2005. Two years later Joan Plaza was promoted to head coach and with the help of players like Louis Bullock, Felipe Reyes and Alex Mumbru. Madrid added the ULEB Cup to its trophy cabinet when winning 12 of its last 13 games, defeating Lietuvos Rytas 87-75 in the final. Madrid also won the Spanish regular season and stayed strong in Palacio Vistalegre to claim its 30th league trophy, besting arch rivals FC Barcelona 3-1 in the title series.
Real Madrid have qualified for the Copa del Rey as leaders of the Endesa League. Their first opponent in the championship will be Fuenlabrada on 17 February, but they are set to face them in the league next Sunday. The Whites have defeated the neighbouring side and all other Copa participants in the Endesa League this season. Their victories included a 78-74 win over defending Copa del Rey champions Barcelona Regal FC and a 88-70 triumph over their first Copa opponents, Fuenlabrada. Having lost out to Barcelona in the last two finals, they will be out to end their rival’s domination of the tournament. Real Madrid have been beaten in all five finals they have contested in the Copa since their last victory in 1993 and Barca have now equalled their record of 22 victories. A clash between the two giants would be something to savour!