FINAL EIGHT 2009: Pamesa Valencia
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 Six years after having celebrated as champion of Europe's second competition, Pamesa Valencia heads into the Final Eight again looking to add another major trophy to its collection. No team won more games in the Eurocup this season than Pamesa, which returns five players from a squad that reached last season's Final Eight, too. Pamesa has kept busy adding to this year's model, bringing in head coach Neven Spahija three weeks before the Eurocup season began and star big man Matt Nielsen right after the first game. Despite the tinkering, things came together smoothly for Pamesa, which enjoyed an undefeated regular season and won eight games total before suffering its first Eurocup defeat already in the Last 16. Two victories followed, however, earning Pamesa an early return ticket to Turin. Spahija has needed to be creative at times as injuries and releases caused roster changes. A total of 12 different Pamesa players started at least one game, none more than 10, however. Big men Nielsen and Kosta Perovic and playmaker Shammond Williams are the key forces for Pamesa, but the shooting of Rafa Martinez and clutch play of Vule Avdalovic have been instrumental to the club's success. At the Final Eight, the return of rising star Victor Claver from injury could become a major boost for Pamesa. Considering its prominence now, it is surprising that Pamesa was founded only in 1986. Within two seasons, the club reached Spain's first division, and since 1996 has been there permanently. Two years later, the team claimed its first success, the 1998 Spanish Cup title. Soon, Pamesa became a regular in the domestic playoffs, too, although for four years it could not break into the semifinals. In Europe, Pamesa reached the Saporta Cup final twice, losing in 1999 to Benetton Treviso and in 2002 to Montepaschi. But if Pamesa was knocked on the door to success, in 2002-03 the door came down. First came the historic ULEB Cup title in that competition's debut season, as Pamesa swept Krka Novo Mesto in the two-game finals. Pamesa also roared through the Spanish League playoffs all the way to the finals, where it was stopped only by the Euroleague champs from Barcelona. Momentum and excitement marked the 2003-04 season when Pamesa made it to the Euroleague Top 16 and came within a victory of reaching the Final Four. The club returned to the ULEB Cup in 2004-05 and reached the semifinals, but its brilliant season came to an end against eventual champs Lietuvos Rytas on point difference only. A Spanish Cup final in 2006 and a playoff appearance in 2007 meant a return to form for Pamesa. Last season sealed that resurgence as Pamesa won its ULEB Cup regular season group and survived the elimination rounds to reach the Final Eight. Pamesa's quest for another trophy ended in the quarterfinals, however, against another eventual champion, DKV Joventut. Nonetheless, last season's solid showing saw Pamesa gain the confidence and experience required now to takes aim at the Eurocup crown.
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Eurocupbasketball.com
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