By Lefteris Moutis
Valencia + Croatian coach = Eurocup? Velimir Perasovic managed to change completely the image of Valencia within three months and hopes to follow the example of an other Croatian, Neven Spahija, two years ago when with him on the bench Valencia won the Eurocup.
If Spanish championship had begun in January 2012, Valencia would have been at the top. Until the Croatian coach’s arrival, Valencia had a 9-9 record, but after that the team became fourth in the league standings (16-12) having a 7-3 record.
Valencia’s management rewarded Perasovic and renewed his contract this week until the summer of 2014 giving him an extra cash bonus.
The big challenge that presents itself now to Valencia is the Eurocup Finals. Winning the title – however difficult it may be in Moscow against Lietuvos Rytas in semifinal and either Khimki or Spartak in the final- gives a place in next season’s Euroleague and everybody in Valencia hope to get it. In any case, the road to Euroleague through the Spanish league is much tougher…