Hi everyone. Now, we're really close to the moment of truth! By that moment, I mean Saturday's semifinals, too, because without winning then, there is no Sunday to dream about the trophy. I can guarantee you that we are focused on that moment and ready to play. The whole season has been building up to this, every improvement along the way adds up to having a team that is confident and prepared to confront this challenge. As I said in my first blog, I am confident because of the chemistry we have on our team. It's a mix of young guys and veterans, shooters, defenders, passers, floor-runners.... We do have a very versatile team. For instance, this is my first year playing with Victor Claver, and even as a teammate, I tell you, he's fun to watch and very talented. He can play either forward spot well and do everything, really. It's no wonder he was named the Rising Star Trophy winner for the Eurocup, but he doesn't play like a young guy. Everyone knows we're a deep team, but one interesting thing about us that people may not recognize is that the guys coming off the bench have a lot of experience. Marko Marinovic, Florent Pietrus, Serhiy Lishchuk and I are all guys who have played and won a lot. I think that means that our lineup gives a lot of options to our coach. Depending on the game, he can utilize the player he needs at any given moment, which is part of our success: we have players... more

Are you ready for the Eurocup Finals? I can't wait, myself. My name is Thomas Kelati and I play for Power Electronics Valencia. We'll be in Vitoria before you know it, getting ready for what I hope is a championship weekend colored orange. It's a little hard to believe, because this has been a strange season for me. I signed very late for the team and had to adjust to a new role. Now, I can look back and say without doubt that it's has been all for the better. In fact, I think I am one of the luckiest guys around. I played for Unicaja in Malaga, Spain last season in the Euroleague, and this year I in Valencia and the Eurocup. Those have to be two of the top five or so places that players want to play and live, with the competition and the sun and beaches and the lifestyle. My wife and family love it here in Valencia. They wouldn't mind staying, I know that. If it came down to just lifestyle, they wouldn't mind me signing here for the rest of my career!

But what I love most about right now is that we are competing well, and that's what we'll be doing this weekend to try to take home the Eurcoup trophy. I love to play in these kinds of European competitions. Of course, all of us want to be in the Euroleague, which is another step up, basketball-wise. But I can tell you, the Eurocup is right there behind it. It a great competition, with great teams we played against, a smooth organization. I had experience in Poland with Turow reaching the Final Eight of this competition a couple years ago. I think I know what it takes to be on a winning team. The semifinals are the furthest I have ever gone in European competition, and I am thrilled to have a chance to take this trophy.

I'm... more