By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In his second season as a member of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague giant Real Madrid, Alberto Abalde will compete in the Final Four of Europe’s premier club competition for the first time.
The 2020-21 run concluded in the Playoffs, the last step before the Cologne’s Final Four. The Whites went the distance with Anadolu Efes but succumbed to defeat in Game 5 in Istanbul and were knocked out.
“Sometimes you win, sometimes you can’t do it and lose. For sure, you have to give everything you can and try until the last moment,” noted Abalde.
Abalde, 26, was not part of the team in 2017-18 but aims to help the team based in Madrid to repeat the success of the previous season-ending visit to Belgrade’s Stark Arena. Taking down CSKA Moscow and the Semifinals and Fenerbahce Dogus in the Final earned the tenth EuroLeague championship in team history.
Alberto is a part of the present and for sure part of the future,” mentioned head coach Pablo Laso commenting on his player, “That is probably that is a big responsibility for him but also for us to push him to do it.” In addition, captain Sergio Llull seconded the experienced play-caller.
Watch Alberto Abalde and Real Madrid return to the Final Four with a vengeance:
The Spanish small forward contributed 6.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game over 28 appearances so far in the 2021-22 EuroLeague season. His side finished the Regular Season in fourth place and swept Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv to clinch a berth in the Final Four.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net