Baskonia emerged victorious in the 2026 Copa del Rey final, defeating Real Madrid 100-89 in a thrilling contest at the Roig Arena. The win marked the club’s seventh Copa del Rey title, ending a three-year drought for one of Spanish basketball’s most storied franchises.
Trent Forrest was named MVP of the tournament after an outstanding performance, finishing with 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 11 assists in 35 minutes of play. The guard’s composure and playmaking were instrumental in Baskonia’s triumph, especially in the closing stages when they pulled away from a tight contest.
Real Madrid coach Sergio Scariolo acknowledged the defeat, saying: “We played well for about 30 minutes, but our defensive consistency dropped in the fourth quarter. We allowed too many easy baskets in the paint and weren’t effective in one-on-one situations. Baskonia deserve credit for finishing strong.” The loss marks Madrid’s second final defeat of the season.
The turning point came when Baskonia outscored Madrid decisively in the final period. Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot, despite fouling out late, contributed crucial points, while Eugene Omoruyi and Mamadi Diakite made key plays on both ends. For Baskonia, the victory represents a remarkable turnaround under coach Galbiati, who was initially questioned but has now cemented his reputation as a cup specialist.
Key contributors for Baskonia included Trent Forrest’s all-around dominance, Kurucs’ clutch basket to seal the game, and Howard’s timely scoring. Real Madrid, despite a strong roster, failed to match Baskonia’s intensity down the stretch, allowing runs that decided the outcome.
The win caps a historic run for Baskonia, who will celebrate with their fans in Vitoria in the coming days. For Real Madrid, the focus now shifts to regrouping for the remainder of the season.
