Real Madrid defeated Valencia Basket 105-90 in a record-breaking EuroLeague Final Four semifinal to advance to the championship game.

Credit: AP/Scanpix

Credit AP/Scanpix

Credit AP/Scanpix

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Real Madrid booked their place in the EuroLeague Final after surviving a high-scoring battle against Valencia Basket, winning 105-90 in Athens.

The semifinal immediately turned into an offensive showcase, with both teams attacking the rim and pushing the tempo from the opening minutes.

Valencia held a slim 28-26 lead after the first quarter, but the scoring pace was already historic. For comparison, the other semifinal between Olympiacos and Fenerbahce was only 33-24 at halftime, while Valencia already had 33 points just 12 minutes into the game.

Real Madrid answered quickly and took a 62-56 lead into halftime behind strong offensive performances from Mario Hezonja and Trey Lyles.

The first half also entered the EuroLeague record books. Real Madrid and Valencia combined for 118 points in the opening 20 minutes, the highest-scoring half ever in a EuroLeague Final Four game, breaking the previous record of 110 set in the 2013 final.

Real Madrid also set a new Final Four record with 62 first-half points, while the two Spanish teams combined for 54 points in the opening quarter, the highest-scoring first quarter ever in a EuroLeague semifinal.

Real Madrid created more separation in the third quarter, extending the lead to 86-73 heading into the final period.

Valencia kept fighting and tried to make one final comeback push in the fourth quarter, but Real Madrid kept up and closed out a win.

In the final, Madrid will match up against Olympiacos Piraeus, who overcame Fenerbahce Istanbul in the first semi-final 79-61.

Real Madrid: Mario Hezonja 25 (7 REB, 3 AST), Trey Lyles 17 (7 REB), Gabriel Deck 16 (8 REB), Andre Feliz 15 (8 REB), Theo Maledon 12.

Valencia Basket: Jean Montero 15 (9 AST, 3 STL), Jaime Pradilla 15 (8 REB), Nate Reuvers 15, Braxton Key 13, Kameron Taylor 11.

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