By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
In order to compete in the EuroLeague, you need to be part of the elite. This is not a snobbish approach. It’s just a fact. Only the top European clubs can keep up with the rest of their opponents in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague; they also need to have tradition behind them and the right amount of ambition, resources, and passion. If they don’t, then not only they will be disappointed, but their presence in the league might not be felt.
That’s why no matter who prevails between Valencia and ALBA Berlin, the EuroLeague will benefit from their presence. Here’s why.
Tradition
While both clubs are relatively young – Valencia was founded in 1986 and ALBA in 1991, they have already left their mark on European basketball. ALBA Berlin has won eight German League championships and nine German Cups plus the FIBA Korac Cup. For many seasons ALBA was by far the best team in Germany and has regularly been part of the EuroLeague. While there’s currently solid local competition, mainly from FC Bayern Munich, ALBA had played in the EuroLeague quite recently, reaching the Top 16 back in the 2014-15 season. If ALBA gets the trophy, then for the first time ever Germany can potentially have three teams in the EuroLeague, since Bayern has a two-year license after the recent expansion and there’s also a spot that can be allocated to German champion.
Valencia, on the other hand, is also a regular in the EuroLeague, while also being synonymous with the EuroCup, which has already won three times. It was the Spanish champion in 2017 and many members of the current roster have experience at the top level in Europe. Returning to the EuroLeague would be returning to a place Valencia is comfortable in. Having said that, if Valencia ends up winning the EuroCup, then – according to EuroLeague bylaws, the spot for next season that was reserved for the Spanish ACB become a wildcard. No more than four teams from the same country can compete in the EuroLeague and Valencia can lock up the fourth spot behind Real Madrid, FC Barcelona Lassa and KIROLBET Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz.
Star-power
Both teams have admirable lineups and many familiar names to European fans. Valencia‘s leaders are Bojan Dubljevic and Rafa Martinez. Veteran Fernando San Emeterio has joined the party, while the point guard duo of Sam Van Rossom and Antoine Diot is more than solid.
ALBA Berlin is a younger team but has a coaching legend on the bench. Aito Garcia Reneses needs no introduction and he recently added one more EuroCup Coach of the Year award to his trophy case. Garcia Reneses became the first person to win the EuroCup Coach of the Year award twice; he first did so with Gran Canaria in 2015. Power forward Luke Sikma, son of the soon to be Hall-of-Famer Jack Sikma, is the 7DAYS EuroCup MVP for the 2018-19 season and Peyton Siva is a well-known quantity from his college days under Panathinaikos OPAP Athens head coach Rick Pitino in Louisville.
Arenas
Here things get really interesting. Many EuroLeague newcomers simply have to relocate or improve their gyms in order to be able to meet the competition’s standards. That’s not the case with these clubs, though ALBA has a clear advantage in this area.
Valencia‘s home is the Pavello Municipal Font de San Lluis, simply known as “La Fonteta”. The arena has a seating capacity of 9,000 and while it’s old – it was built back in 1983, it remains one of the best pure basketball stadiums in Europe. In 2016, Valencia Basket financed the renovation of the arena with €500,000 and also installed a new €150,000 center-hung scoreboard.
ALBA, however, plays at Mercedes-Benz Arena, which opened in 2008. Yes, it’s the arena formerly known as O2 and with a capacity of 14,500 spectators is one of the biggest and most modern in Europe. After all, the arena hosted the 2009 EuroLeague Final Four. Add to that a loyal fan base for both clubs and you get the picture.
So it’s easy to understand why both teams feel ready for their return to the big show. No matter who wins the 7DAYS EuroCup Finals, the EuroLeague will get a real winner to fill a spot next season.
Photo credit: EuroCup