By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Among the Final Four contenders for a third straight edition of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, FC Barcelona is looking to improve on 2021 and 2022 finishes.
“To win the EuroLeague, first you must reach the Final Four and we are there,” explained Alex Abrines in an interview shared on the official site of Barca before the team’s departure to Kaunas, the hosting city of the 2023 Final Four.
“We hope this year will be a good one. And if it doesn’t come this year, I am convinced the trophy will come sooner rather than later. And we hope it will eventually be more than one championship,” he commented on the 13-year drought since the Catalonia giant became a two-time EuroLeague champion in 2010.
Abrines, 29, averaged 7.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game on the way to the Kaunas Final Four. His side eliminating Zalgiris in a Playoffs best-of-five series and completing the sweep in the Lithuanian city marked the previous showing in the continental league.
“This season, we are at top form,” he said noting an upgrade compared to arriving at last season’s Final Four, “It is true that Madrid is also at top form. It will be a difficult game. Either team can win. We are mentally ready to act in the best possible way and win.”
“Clasico is motivating on its own”
Certainly, the teams based in Barcelona and Madrid are familiar with each other. Besides domestic encounters, they met in the 2022 Final Four Semifinals as well. The Whites enjoyed a narrow win before falling to Anadolu Efes a couple of days later in Belgrade’s Stark Arena.
“We keep in mind what happened last year and don’t want to make the same mistakes. In any case, the Clasico is motivating on its own,” commented Abrines regarding the next battle coming up in Zalgirio Arena Friday. Olympiacos and AS Monaco will face each other in the other Semifinal.
On the injury list of Barcelona, Cory Higgins (back) is set to miss the Final Four. Madrid’s Guerschon Yabusele (suspension), Vincent Poirier (calf), Carlos Alocen (left knee), and Gabriel Deck (left knee) are all out as well.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net