SOFIA — Hapoel Tel Aviv survived a stunning Real Madrid comeback to claim a 102-98 victory in Sofia on Thursday in the opening game of EuroLeague Round 3, securing its second win of the season and dropping Madrid to 0-3 for the first time in EuroLeague history.
Elijah Bryant powered Hapoel with a near triple-double, finishing with 22 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists, while Vasilije Micic matched him with 22 points. Bruno Caboclo was flawless from deep, hitting 5-of-5 from three-point range for 15 points, and Zach LeDay added 15. For Real Madrid, Theo Maledon scored a game-high 26 points and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot added 21, while Walter Tavares posted a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
The contest swung dramatically. Hapoel dominated the first half and carried a 63-43 lead into the break, a 20-point cushion that suggested a rout. Real Madrid answered in the third quarter with relentless defense and transition scoring, unleashing a 19-0 run to wipe out the deficit and take the lead. Momentum flipped again in the fourth, where Bryant took over to steady Hapoel and guide the Israeli club to the finish.
Hapoel moves to 2-1 after the win, having entered the night at 1-1, while Real Madrid remains winless through three games. The defeat marks an unprecedented 0-3 start for Madrid in the competition. Round 3 continues across the continent with Crvena zvezda hosting Anadolu Efes, Virtus Bologna facing Olympiacos, Paris Basketball meeting Zalgiris and Panathinaikos taking on Maccabi Tel Aviv among the scheduled matchups.