The basketball team Baskonia pulled off a huge surprise in Valencia, defeating the favored Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final. Under the leadership of charismatic coach Paolo Galbiati, the team from the Basque Country reclaimed the trophy after a seventeen-year hiatus. The key figures of the match turned out to be Trent Forrest, who received the MVP award, and Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot. This victory ends the dominance of the Spanish giants and confirms a new power structure in the ACB league.

Historic Triumph for Baskonia

The club from Vitoria won its seventh Copa del Rey, defeating Real Madrid 17 years after its last triumph in this competition.

Trent Forrest with MVP Title

The American point guard was named the most valuable player of the tournament in Valencia thanks to his composure and efficiency.

Crisis at Real Madrid

The defeat in the final sparked discussions about the future of Sergio Scariolo's project and the tactical mistakes made in the decisive match.

Modern Arena and Records

The tournament took place in the newly opened Roig Arena, attracting thousands of fans and generating record public transport traffic.

The final showdown in the modern Roig Arena in Valencia will go down in history as one of the most thrilling moments of the 2025/2026 season. Baskonia played with extraordinary determination, neutralizing the offensive strengths of Real Madrid led by Sergio Scariolo. The key to success turned out to be the tactics of Italian coach Paolo Galbiati, who, despite a squad rebuild and introducing new faces into the rotation, managed to create a monolith capable of defeating the giant. The most valuable player (MVP) of the final was point guard Trent Forrest, although the media widely reported on the scoring 'festival' of Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot. The Copa del Rey in basketball is a knockout tournament held since 1933. It is considered one of the most spectacular sporting events in Europe due to the Final Eight format, where the eight best league teams compete for the trophy during an intense long weekend. Real Madrid's defeat sparked a wave of criticism towards the coaching staff, particularly regarding Scariolo's personnel decisions in the final quarter. However, the coach of 'Los Blancos' is calming emotions, emphasizing that one match does not negate months of hard work. Meanwhile, Vitoria-Gasteiz is preparing for a major celebration. Official ceremonies are planned at the Virgen Blanca square, and the team will also be honored at the Mendizorrotza stadium before the football match between Alavés and Girona. The tournament in Valencia will also be remembered for the presence of King Felipe VI, whose visit was accompanied by record traffic in the local public transport network, confirming the immense interest in the sport. „Il lavoro duro paga e questa Copa ci unirà per il futuro.” (Hard work pays off and this Copa will unite us for the future.) — Paolo Galbiati It is worth noting that Baskonia's success was based on a rare synergy between experienced leaders and players who are just building their reputation on the Old Continent. Although the media initially mistakenly suggested a lack of experience in the entire squad, the facts point to excellent mental preparation by leaders like Forrest, who controlled the flow of the game in the most critical moments. This victory is the seventh in the club's history and ends the long wait of fans from Vitoria for a cup triumph.

Mentioned People

  • Paolo Galbiati — Italian coach of Baskonia, main architect of the team's success.
  • Trent Forrest — Baskonia player, selected MVP of the 2026 Copa del Rey tournament.
  • Sergio Scariolo — Real Madrid coach, subjected to criticism after the lost final.
  • Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot — Key Baskonia player, whose emotional reaction after the final circulated in the media.