Dubai Basketball pulled off a stunning one-point win over Spanish giants Real Madrid, 78-77, in the opening game of their second EuroLeague campaign, played before a roaring crowd at Coca-Cola Arena.
Real Madrid, one of European basketball's most storied clubs, controlled the first half and went into the break leading 44-38. But Dubai stormed back in the third quarter, flipping the momentum of the game and never letting it slip away again despite Real Madrid's late push.
Dwayne Bacon was the standout performer for Dubai, top-scoring with 24 points, while Mfiondu Kabengele and Filip Petrušev delivered crucial defensive stops in the closing stretch that ultimately sealed the narrow victory.
Head coach Xavi Pascual praised the club's growing fanbase after the game, saying he hopes the crowd keeps building match by match, calling that growth "the best win we can achieve this season" regardless of results on the court.
The victory is a significant statement for Dubai Basketball, a relatively young project in the EuroLeague, proving the club can compete with even the continent's most decorated teams. Dubai has invested heavily in recent years to position itself as a hub for professional sport in the Middle East, with Coca-Cola Arena among the region's most modern indoor venues.
The win is expected to give the squad momentum heading into the rest of the season, with fans hoping for even bigger crowds at Coca-Cola Arena in upcoming fixtures.