Real Madrid's basketball team has arrived in Abu Dhabi, where they will compete in the European basketball Super Cup. The squad is staying at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island as they get ready for the two-day tournament at Etihad Arena.
The team flew in from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, focused on winning the Super Cup. Their first test is a semi-final against Dubai, set for Friday at 19:00 in Spain (21:00 in Abu Dhabi), with the match shown on Movistar Plus+. The club has clarified that any reported time-zone confusion in local coverage does not affect the match schedule.
"The EuroLeague Super Cup in Abu Dhabi features a four-team lineup: Olympiacos, Fenerbahçe, Real Madrid, and Dubai Basketball, with the other semifinal pairing Olympiacos against Fenerbahçe."
UA News citing The National
Pedro Martínez's side will face a Dubai team looking to impress at home. With the tournament running on a tight schedule, only a win on Friday will send either team to the final, which takes place the next day. As reported by EuroLeague and Gazzetta, the winner of the Real Madrid vs Dubai Basketball semi-final will play for the title on Saturday, 19 September.
Real Madrid's arrival comes just after their domestic campaign in Spain. As reported earlier, this is the club's first competitive match in Abu Dhabi for the European Super Cup, highlighting the city's growing role in hosting major basketball events. Head coach Pedro Martínez said in a pre-tournament press conference that he wants the team to "have an identity" and be "recognizable," calling the Super Cup the first real test of the season, according to official club reports.
With the squad now based on Yas Island and the tournament about to start, attention turns to whether Real Madrid can turn their European experience into results in Abu Dhabi. This is the first time the Super Cup is being held in the city, reflecting Abu Dhabi's push to attract top-level international sports. The outcome of the weekend's games will shape the teams' immediate prospects and add to Abu Dhabi's reputation as a host for global basketball.
"This is the inaugural EuroLeague Basketball SuperCup being held in Abu Dhabi, further strengthening the city's reputation as a host for elite basketball after recent major events at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. The event is seen as a milestone in Abu Dhabi's ongoing efforts to attract top-level international sporting competitions."
UA News citing The National
