Don't miss it!

May 17, 2012

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Don't miss it!

Hello, Eurocup fans! This is Bizkaia Bilbao Basket team captain Javi Salgado. I guess I am not well known to European basketball fans out there, so I better introduce myself. This is my ninth season with the team and I am the only player from Bilbao on our roster. I joined the team nine years ago when we were in the Spanish third division, back then called LEB-2. We went up to the second division and it took us two more years to make it to the first, the Spanish ACB League. We have been in the top division for six years now, always improving and setting new goals. We went from establishing ourselves in that league to fighting for a playoff spot on regular basis. We are looking to do something great with this team - and the sooner the better!

The Eurocup season has been good to us, but we really had a tough team making it intto the competition. We had to fight hard against BC Donetsk in the Qualifying Round. We lost in Ukraine by 8 points, but were down by like 20 at some point. We had to rally in the second leg in Bilbao and it wasn't easy at all. We ended up winning by 11 to qualify for the Eurocup, but it was really, really tough. Once we got in, the team was really solid, winning our regular season group and getting four consecutive wins in the Last 16. We lost at home against Benetton, but locked up first place by losing by less than 20 points against Panellinios. Back then, we had severe problems in the Spanish League and were focused on getting out of that complicated situation.

The fact that the Eurocup Finals are in Vitoria makes it even more special for us. There is an incredible atmosphere in Bilbao about it! Bilbao fans have already bought over 2,500 tickets - and counting - and we are proud to see that our fans are answering in such a massive way. We made it to the Final Eight in Turin, Italy last season, played on Thursday. That was just a week before our football team, Athletic Bilbao, was in the King's Cup final against Barcelona, and with that and the global financial crisis... we still had 400 fans in Turin, and they helped us a lot. We are very proud of our fans and the kind of support we get. I am sure they will be backing us in Vitoria.

Of course, the fact that we already were in the semifinals last season helps us a bit. Sometimes you need to lose finals before winning titles - that's what the experts say, at least. Well, we haven't played a lot of finals, but were in the semis against Khimki last season, as well as the Spanish King's Cup semifinals in Vitoria against Caja Laboral Baskonia, and also hosted the Spanish Supercup final three years ago. We have been gaining very valuable experience in important do-or-die games! At some point, we have to surprise everyone and win a title. We cannot forget where we have come from. In just 10 years, we have gone from the third division to having the chance to win a European title!

It is hard to overcome the lack of tradition that some other teams have. We are all looking forward to the game against Alba. All our efforts will be focused on beating them on Saturday. We have to go game by game and avoid thinking about the final. They are a great team that was in the Euroleague last season. Axel Hervelle and Alex Mumbru played against them last season and know they are a strong team. We cannot be overconfident. All we think about is the big event in Vitoria and the game against Alba. It would be great to play the final and have the chance to win the title!

Our team is like a family and everyone is happy to be in Bilbao. We try to welcome all our new players to adjust to the city and the club as easily as possible. Bilbao is a very comfortable place to live. It is small, but with great atmosphere. It is not as big as Madrid or Barcelona, with all that bad traffic and such a big mess! The quality of life is great, you can enjoy your time in Bilbao. Players like Paco Vazquez, Marko Banic and myself try to make life easier for everyone. Of course, you have ups and downs throughout the season, but we get along very well, because the competition itself already brings you tough times. It makes no sense to generate trouble in the locker room.

Being from Bilbao and after nine years in the club, now being the team captain... it is impossible not to dream about winning the title. I have been thinking about it - now that we are so close to having the chance to lift the trophy. Guess what, I could die with a smile in my face if I do that! I picture myself lifting the Eurocup trophy, getting a chance to go to the Euroleague and winning a prestigious title... and doing it just 60 kilometers away from Bilbao and in front of our fans!!! It would be just incredible. Remember I joined the club in the Spanish third division. We had to fight a lot, personally and as a team, to be where we are right now. It would be difficult to top that.

I guess that I don't have to persuade our fans to come to Vitoria! We have the kind of fans that give their best for their team. They will come to support us, no doubt about it. I would like to send a message to all those basketball fans that have the chance to come to Vitoria for the Eurocup Finals. What's not to like about it? It is a great show, with an attractive format, four very good basketball teams that had a great Eurocup season. Our semifinal against Alba and the other one between Valencia and Panellinios will be two very good games - and whoever wins, the final will be even better! It is a chance to enjoy high-level basketball in a great venue like Fernando Buesa Arena. If you are a basketball fans and have the chance to get to Vitoria, don't miss it!

POSTED BY

JAVI SALGADO - BILBAO, SPAIN

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