The second quarterfinal of the 2025/26 ACB season took place in Lleida, featuring Hiopos Lleida and Barcelona. The match was held at Pavelló Espai Fruita Barris Nord and immediately set a fast pace: both teams relied on quick breaks and long-range shots, keeping the score close by halftime.
At the start of the game, Barcelona quickly took the lead thanks to precise plays from Vesely and Paulí, but Hiopos Lleida did not allow the visitors to build on their advantage. Ejim and García maintained the hosts’ tempo, while Batemon converted several fast attacks to close the gap. By the middle of the first quarter, the teams traded scoring runs, with the lead changing hands multiple times.
Key moments of the second quarter
In the second period, the intensity only increased. First, Paulí and Krutwig gave Lleida a slight edge, but Barcelona responded quickly: Clyburn tied the game with a precise three-pointer, then Walden and Satoransky put the visitors back ahead. Willy Hernangómez stood out with a spectacular dunk and several crucial shots after steals. At the end of the quarter, Punter and García traded three-pointers, keeping the suspense alive going into halftime.
Tactical nuances and lineup decisions
Barcelona’s coaching staff had to take into account a tight schedule: only a few days separated their ACB matches from the upcoming EuroLeague clash with Estrella Roja. This affected squad rotation and playing time distribution. The visitors’ starting five were Clyburn, Punter, Vesely, Parra, and Shengelia, while Lleida started with Paulí, Krutwig, Ejim, García, and Batemon. Both teams actively used timeouts to adjust tactics, especially after the opponent’s fast scoring runs.
Context and significance of the match
For Hiopos Lleida, this game was an opportunity to get closer to their tenth win of the season and strengthen their position at the top of the table. The team went into the match after a confident victory over Tenerife, which boosted the players’ confidence. Barcelona, in turn, recently secured a spot in the EuroLeague playoffs with a win over Bayern and brought Satoransky back into the lineup after fatigue issues. The busy schedule has already led to unexpected results: this season, as noted in the material on the performance of Spaniard Jódar at the Conde de Godó tournament, unexpected twists and line-up changes often become crucial to the outcome of matches (more about sporting intrigue in Barcelona).
The second quarterfinal matchup in Lleida showed that the fight for a place in the next round remains open. Both teams are expected to continue playing at a high tempo with tight defense in the upcoming games, and coaching staff decisions will play an increasingly important role.
