Melilla secured a 70-59 victory over Valladolid on Saturday in the LEB Plata league, completing a difficult fixture on 3 October 2026. The visitors controlled the tempo and held their advantage through the closing stages. Valladolid could not find a way back after falling behind early. To be fair, the home side struggled to match Melilla's pace from the opening minutes.
Valladolid's recent form has been inconsistent, with five games showing mixed results: an 87-76 win against Lliria followed by defeats in four of their next outings. Melilla arrived with a similar pattern of inconsistency, having lost 72-102 to Gestic Menorca and then 84-93 to Ureense in their two most recent matches. By then, both teams were looking for stability after uneven runs.
We had called for the away win before kick-off with 73 per cent confidence, and the result confirmed that assessment. Melilla's visitors were sharper in transition and took advantage of Valladolid's defensive lapses. And here's the thing — the home side's inability to stop quick breaks proved decisive rather than their own offensive struggles.
The result leaves Melilla with momentum after a string of losses, while Valladolid's position in the table remains unchanged. The visitors extended their recent winning streak with this performance, showing that their earlier defeats were not indicative of their true level. The 11-point margin suggests a comfortable control rather than a close contest.
Valladolid will need to address their defensive rotations if they hope to avoid further setbacks. Melilla's away form could prove crucial as the season progresses, and this victory may shift expectations around their campaign. The gap between the two sides was visible from the first quarter and never closed.
