“Foc is coming” to Fonteta in the EuroCup Finals game 1 vs. ALBA Berlín

Valencia Basket begins its sixth EuroCup final (the eighth of its history in European competitions) hosting ALBA Berlin in the Fonteta in this best-of-three series that will decide the new champion of this competition (Tuesday 9, 20:30h, Teledeporte). The taronja squad wants to extend their home winning-streak (has won theis 10 home games in the European competition) and continue to increase a streak that is now fourteen consecutive wins at EuroCup. A win in tomorrow's game would not only mean a first step towards the trophy, it would also equal the best record of wins in a row in European competition for the Taronja squad, which remains in the hands of the team of the 1998-99 season.

 

Facing the best attack of the competition and one of the teams that best runs in transition throughout Europe, Valencia Basket will need to optimize the virtues that have led us to these EuroCup Finals as the defense (only 64.2 points embedded since the beginning of the Playoffs), the accuracy in the shot and the control of the ball against an opponent that is the best of the competition in steals.

 

To look for the first point of the EuroCup Finals, coach Jaume Ponsarnau will have the absence of Guillem Vives (torn muscle in his right thigh) buts recovers the captain Rafa Martinez, sidelined in the last Endesa League’s game in Andorra due to acute low back pain.

 

Jaume Ponsarnau (Valencia Basket coach)

"We are very excited. We have been working for this all season long to have the opportunity to play the finals - and it is finally here. ALBA Berlin is the type of team against which the home-court advantage is not decisive. What really has an impact for them is not playing at home or on the road, or the atmosphere they can find - it is their rhythm. They are dangerous when they are able to run, and they can do that at 'La Fonteta' or at Mercedes-Benz Arena. Fighting for the right game rhythm is the biggest key. It is just about stopping their fast break chances, because they will find some of them at some point. We have to try to be active in all things that condition the game rhythm - rebounds, turnovers -, be solid and consistent. We are the kind of team that needs to take certain risks on defense, but we have to minimize turnovers and their offensive rebounds."

 

Rosters

VALENCIA BASKET

Nº

Nombre

Nacimiento

Posición

Alt.

1

Sergi García

España

Base

1.93

6

Alberto Abalde

España

Alero

2.02

7

Louis Labeyrie

Francia

Ala-pívot

2.08

8

Antoine Diot

Francia

Base

1.93

9

Sam Van Rossom

Bélgica

Base

1.88

10

Will Thomas

EE.UU/Georgia

Ala-pívot

2.03

13

Mike Tobey

EE.UU

Pívot

2.13

14

Bojan Dubljevic

Montenegro

Pívot

2.05

17

Rafa Martínez

España

Escolta

1.90

19

Fernando San Emeterio

España

Alero

1.99

21

Matt Thomas

EE.UU

Escolta

1.96

30

Joan Sastre

España

Escolta

2.00

42

Aaron Doornekamp

Canadá/Holanda

Ala-pívot

2.01

Baja

16

Guillem Vives

España

Base

1.92

Jaume Ponsarnau

Entrenador

 

ALBA BERLÍN

Nº

Nombre

Nacimiento

Posición

Alt.

1

Joshiko Saibou

Alemania

Base

1.88

3

Peyton Siva

EE.UU

Base

1.82

5

Niels Giffey

Alemania

Alero

2.00

10

Tim Schneider

Alemania

Ala-pívot

2.08

15

Martin Hermannsson

Islandia

Escolta

1.90

22

Franz Wagner

Alemania

Alero

2.03

25

Kenneth Ogbe

Alemania

Escolta

1,98

31

Rokas Giedraitis

Lituania

Alero

2.00

32

Johannes Thiemann

Alemania

Pívot

2.05

33

Dennis Clifford

EE.UU

Pívot

2.13

35

Landry Nnoko

Camerún

Pívot

2.08

43

Luke Sikma

EE.UU

Ala-pívot

2.03

 

Aíto García Reneses

 

Entrenador

 

 

REFEREES: RADOVIC, MOGULKOC, VYKLICKY