I have to update this older post as the team is again in Europe’s final four, the culmination of a great season that also has them ready for the Liga or league playoffs in Spain. Usually , I write more on the football/soccer team but I and my boys also follow the basketball team. Of course, I introduce them early to the Real Madrid with me a lifelong member of the greatest club in the history of the sport of football and basketball, no one else does it better in Europe. However, what I seems to missed the basketball side of Real Madrid, almost as good as the football/soccer side. Therefore, here is my side of the story on the basketball and Real Madrid !! The update is they reach the final of the Final four and lost to last year’s champion Efes, but nevertheless a wonderful season once again from the best of all time! Efes has 2 we have 10 !!
The team plays in the Liga Endesa as sponsor carries the name or the ACB, that was created in 1983. The team was born in March 22, 1931! I follow the team since the 1970’s at the time of Emiliano Rodriguez, Clifford Luyk, Wayne Brabender, and Juan Antonio Corbalàn! My favorite coaches were Raimundo Saporte, Pedro Ferrandiz, Lolo Saenz who I kept a personal contact over the years!, and the current one Pablo Laso!
I started watching the games in the early 70’s at the Pabéllon de la Ciudad Deportiva (Sports City) that held games from 1966 to 1986. Afterward was name the Pabellon Raimundo Soporta. Today there are four buildings towers there name Cuatro Torres business area or CTBA( four towers).For reference these are the Espace tower at 224 meters; Cristal tower at 249 meters which has a hotel as well, the PwC tower 236 meters ,and the Cepsa tower at 250 meters (highest of Madrid and Spain). This Sportd city is where I started my training with the Real Madrid football/soccer team when lived in Madrid!
Later the team move to Palacio Vista Alegre (that was an old bullfight arena) in 2004-2010 where I came to see them many times with my dear late wife Martine! and the boys. An enthusiastic fan following us all over, And now , the palace is still use for concerts, events etc. Well at least have some older pictures for the memories such as the game derby vs Estudiantes 2009 on pic below.and after crowds before game
Finally, the current home is WiZink Center and doing so since 2011! under various names until the current one in 2016. This is at Avenida Felipe II and Plaza Salvador Dali , near metro Goya line 2 and 4 as well as O’Donnell line 6 circular line. Of course, this is a multi use center with many concerts etc but basketball is the official home.See pic in front the Dolmen by Dali !
The basketball section has won many titles over the year been on the same level as the football/soccer team; on the European level these are:
Winner of the European Champion Clubs’ Cup – Euroleague:(10) 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1974, 1978, 1980, 1995, 2015, 2018,
Winner of ULEB Cup: 2007.
Winner of the Saporta Cup: 1984, 1989, 1992, 1997.
Winner of the Korać Cup: 1988.
Winner of the Intercontinental Cup: 1976, 1977, 1978, 2015.
Winner of the World Club Championship: 1981
Winner of the Latina Cup: 1952-1953.
Winner of Torneo Internacional ACB (European Super Clubs): 1984, 1988, 1989.
And on the national level: Spanish Champion (35): 1957, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1993, 1994, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019
Winner of the Spanish Cup (28): Under the name Copa del Generalísimo: 1951, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, Under the name Copa del Rey, King’s Cup: 1977, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1993, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. 2020
Winner of the Spanish Supercup (8): 1985, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018.2019,2020,2021.
The Euroleague is currently in its Final Four format and we will be playing our arch rivals in Spain that will remain nameless, This would probably be a repeat in the playoffs in the Spanish Endesa league. Well we beat the rivals in another clasico in semi finals but lost the final, overall a great season for us.
The official Real Madrid store other than the stadium our favorite is at Calle del Carmen near Puerta del Sol : webpage : https://www.realmadrid.com/estadio-santiago-bernabeu/tiendas/tienda-el-carmen
The official Real Madrid on the basketball section: https://www.realmadrid.com/en/basketball
For my memories and others this is the old Sports City now Four Towers business area from the Madrid tourist office: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/cuatro-torres-business-area
The former basketball home of the Palacio Vista Alegre , today events center: https://www.palaciovistalegre.es/espacios/
The current basketball home of Real Madrid also for many eventsn, Wizink Center: https://www.wizinkcenter.es/recinto
There you go folks, it’s wonderful to be part of this Real Madrid organisation since early teens years and forever; do come on over and see a game while in Madrid!!! Hala Madrid!!! See my previous posts on the Real Madrid in my blog, just search! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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