By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After Zenit Saint-Petersburg and Zalgiris Kaunas, the trend of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague team officially tipping off the 2021-22 season with the annual Media Day extends to FC Barcelona.
The team of Catalonia, packed with newcomers and ambitions to land a spot just higher than last season’s second place in EuroLeague, recently began joint practices and preparation games aiming to be ready for the official start of the next season.
? Dia d’@euroleague Media Day
? @Sergimaco pic.twitter.com/43sRDBmE7S
— ? Barça Basket ? (@FCBbasket) September 2, 2021
Nigel Hayes, Nicolas Laprovittola, Rokas Jokubaitis, and Sertac Sanli are the new faces for the team coached by Sarunas Jasikevicius. Returning players are Brandon Davies, Sergi Martinez, Rolands Smits, Pierre Oriola, Alex Abrines, Cory Higgins, Kyle Kuric, Nikola Mirotic, and Nick Calathes.
? Los 4 refuerzos de la temporada 2021/22@nicolapro7
Jokubaitis@SanliSertac @NIGEL_HAYES??#ForçaBarça! pic.twitter.com/6FpIxF2zqM
— ? Barça Basket ? (@FCBbasket) September 2, 2021
As usual, the Media Day presenting the latest edition of Barca brought on interviews with players, official photo sessions, and more.
Looking PURE @PierreOriola pic.twitter.com/jMuNJLYnKa
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) September 2, 2021
Last season, Barcelona ranked first in the EuroLeague Regular Season off its 24-10 record. After a five-game Playoffs series versus Zenit and edging AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano in the Final Four Semifinals, Anadolu Efes defeated the Spanish team in the championship game.
? Hayes – Davis
? @NIGEL_HAYES pic.twitter.com/mjpeR6Rbqj
— ? Barça Basket ? (@FCBbasket) September 2, 2021
The 2021-22 Regular Season opener will be at home against ALBA Berlin on October 1. FC Bayern Munich on the road, Olympiacos at home, AS Monaco on the road, and Zenit back home round up the first four weeks. Three straight demanding away games versus Fenerbahce Beko, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, and Olimpia Milano will carry the team through to November.
The @FCBbasket Media Day is in FULL SWING ? pic.twitter.com/LqFp2QiS9A
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) September 2, 2021
The fifteen remaining EuroLeague participating sides, besides Barca, Zenit, and Zalgiris, are up to continue the season-opening Media Day sessions.