The Copa del Rey did not lack anything in its debut in Malaga, with a first day in which Real Madrid suffered and, shortly after, Valencia met the whites after beating Gran Canaria in extra time in a final of film.
The duel was the only one that was presented without a clear favorite in these quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey. In fact, neither of them appears in any pool to emerge champion on Sunday as happens with Real Madrid, Unicaja or Barça in each of the other three duels in this initial round. A script that was transferred to the parquet where equality reigned.
Gran Canaria tried to impose its rhythm from the beginning, with an inspired Shurna that made it 9-2 (minute 3). Valencia scrambled with an Anderson who shot freely and struck, even capable of giving his team the only advantage of the entire first half (11-13).
There was a vibrant battle in the Carpena, not very bright but exciting, with Brandon Davies supporting Anderson in the taronja score but in which Landesberg turned the duel yellow (25p). Despite everything, the swords remained high heading into the second half.
At the restart the same line was maintained on the hardwood, with Gran Canaria one point ahead in terms of inspiration that allowed them to continue leading the scoreboard. Jaka Lakovic's team even scored the maximum with the 47-39 that Lammers scored but at no time did it give the impression that the game had been broken.
Gran Canaria began to fade little by little in the last act. Jovic's emergence into the game, Brandon Davies' points and the experience of a Euroleague team like Valencia also helped change the color of the game. Despite everything, at 74-77 Gran Canaria had one last possession. Albicy made a mistake and did not shoot from three but the ball continued in the hands of the Canaries with 1s2 left. Lakovic's board and Brussino's wrist combined to draw an incredible triple that sent the duel to extra time, the first of this Copa del Rey.
But as if that effort had emptied their tank, Gran Canaria did not appear in the five minutes of added time, which began with a 0-10 for Valencia that sealed the duel and Mumbrú's team's place in the semifinals. Real Madrid awaits them on Saturday.
