Valencia Basket wants to extend its Turkish passion
MADRID, 19 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Valencia Basket will face another tough start this Thursday in the 2022-2023 Euroleague Regular Phase with a second consecutive match in Istanbul, against another serious candidate like Fenerbahce, against whom they hope to maintain the level offered in their great victory against Anadolu Efes .
The Valencian team was finally able to smile in the top continental competition and after two defeats at La Fonteta against rivals with similar theoretical potential, they were able to surprise at Sinan Erdem and beat the current champion by a tight 91-92.
This victory, which also ended a streak of four consecutive defeats between the Endesa League and the Euroleague, should serve as reinforcement for Alex Mumbrú’s men to forget all the wear and tear to face a Fenerbahce that has strengthened a lot and that until now he has won everything.
The ‘taronja’ team knows that they will have to replenish their energy for a very physically demanding duel, where they could miss the casualties of Jasiel Rivero and James Webb III more, and in which they hope to once again be successful from the triple line with the who was able to control Efes (16/33) and the best version of both point guard Chris Jones and, above all, center Bojan Dubljevic.
The Montenegrin was the leader that Valencia Basket needed and he also comes into the match encouraged after scoring 20 points on Tuesday, which were also the first in his locker in the Euroleague after strangely staying without scoring against Cazoo Baskonia and ASVEL .
It so happens that the ‘taronja’ have won their last two visits to the Ulker Sports and Event Hall, but for a third they will face a Fenerbahce that has undergone a lot of renovation after falling out of the ‘playoffs’ last year .
Thus, he has made changes on the bench, with the experienced Dimitris Itoudis in charge now, and in his squad, with the arrival of Nick Calathes, Scottie Wilbekin, Carsen Edwards and Nemanja Bjelica, although the latter seems to miss the game due to injury . At the moment, his start in the competition has been very positive with wins against Bayern, Maccabi and ASVEL, and against Valencia Basket he will seek his third consecutive victory at home.
“It’s a new team, but with a lot of talent and a lot of physical power. Today it’s the best, the best offensive rebounder in the league or the best in losses, it’s very complete and it’s playing at a great level, especially in its home where he is making a difference. We have to follow the line of work of, but continue to improve things,” warned Mumbrú in statements provided by his club.
FENERBAHCE: Calathes, Wilbekin, Pierre, Hayes-Davis and Motley — possible starting quintet — Edwards, Guduric, Booker, Jekiri, Mahomotglou, Birsen and Hazar.
VALENCIA BASKET: Jones, Prepelic, Puerto, Pradilla and Dubljevic –possible starting five– Van Rossom, López-Arostegi, Claver, Alexander, Harper, Radebaugh and Jiménez.
–REFEREES: Lottermoser, Racys and Nedovic.
–PAVIL: Ulker Sports and Event Hall.
