Valencia, Spain – Real Madrid faces Unicaja this Thursday in a highly anticipated quarterfinal matchup of the 2026 Copa del Rey basketball tournament, a game steeped in recent history and the promise of a fierce contest. The match, taking place at the Roig Arena in Valencia, represents a significant early test for Real Madrid, currently leading the ACB league with a strong record of 18 wins and only two losses. This Copa del Rey quarterfinal offers a chance for redemption against the team that has twice thwarted their ambitions in recent years.
Unicaja, the reigning cup champions, eliminated Real Madrid in the 2025 final with a decisive 93-79 victory and also defeated them in the 2023 semifinals. However, Real Madrid has begun to turn the tide, winning six of their last seven head-to-head encounters, including a thrilling 92-96 victory last Sunday at the Martin Carpena, fueled by a strong performance from Mario Hezonja.
A History of Competition
Real Madrid boasts the most titles in the Copa del Rey with 29 championships, and are aiming for their 30th this week. As Real Madrid’s official website details, the team previously lifted the trophy in Valencia in 1973, defeating Estudiantes in the final. The 2026 tournament marks the fourth time Valencia has hosted the King’s Cup, with previous editions held in 1973, 1999, and 2003.
The broader landscape of Spanish basketball is competitive, with Barcelona closely trailing Real Madrid in King’s Cup titles, holding 27. Joventut (8), Baskonia (6), and Unicaja (3) also have significant histories in the competition. Valencia Basket, La Laguna Tenerife, and UCAM Murcia have yet to secure a title.
Key Players and Coaching Matchup
The matchup features a compelling clash of coaching philosophies, pitting Real Madrid’s Sergio Scariolo against Unicaja’s Ibon Navarro. Scariolo will be looking to guide his team to victory against the side that has proven to be a difficult opponent. Navarro’s Unicaja arrives as a formidable opponent in the knockout tournament, despite a more inconsistent performance in the Endesa League, where they currently hold sixth place with a record of 13-7.
Individual brilliance will also be on display. Real Madrid’s Mario Hezonja is coming off a strong performance in their recent win against Unicaja, and players like Sergio Llull are aiming to add to their already impressive legacies in the competition. Llull currently has 7 King’s Cup titles and is within striking distance of becoming the tournament’s all-time leading scorer, trailing Juan Carlos Villacampa by 30 points. He also has the opportunity to equal Rudy Fernández’s record for most MVP awards in the tournament, alongside teammate Campazzo, who both have two MVP titles.
Recent King’s Cup History
The 2023 Copa del Rey de Baloncesto saw Unicaja claim their second title, defeating Lenovo Tenerife in the final. According to Wikipedia, Tyson Carter of Unicaja was named the tournament’s MVP. Barça, the defending champions entering the 2023 tournament, were eliminated by Unicaja in the quarterfinals.
The competition consistently draws significant attendance, with the 2023 edition attracting 74,665 spectators across seven matches, averaging 10,666 attendees per game.
Looking Ahead
The quarterfinal clash between Real Madrid and Unicaja promises to be a captivating contest, filled with strategic maneuvering and individual displays of skill. The game is scheduled for 9:00 pm CEST and will be broadcast on Dazn. The winner will advance to the semifinals, continuing their pursuit of the coveted King’s Cup title. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching to see if Real Madrid can overcome their recent struggles against Unicaja and solidify their position as a dominant force in Spanish basketball.
The next update will come following the conclusion of the quarterfinal match on Thursday, February 19th, with details on the semifinal matchups to be announced shortly thereafter.
What are your predictions for the Real Madrid vs. Unicaja game? Share your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to share this article with fellow basketball fans!
