The Türk Telekom Ankara is the last obstacle of the ‘pío-pío’ to conquer the Eurocup
MADRID, 2 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Gran Canaria receives Türk Telekom Ankara this Wednesday (9:00 p.m.) in the Eurocup final, the last date to win a title that would add luster to the Gran Canarian showcases and that would have a succulent added prize, qualifying directly to play the Euroleague next course.
Having left Joventut de Badalona in the ditch in the semifinals, the ‘pío-pío’ want to repeat their symbiosis with their fans to make the most of the home court factor. The Gran Canaria Arena, with a confirmed full house for the occasion, is being another great protagonist of the good road to Gran Canaria at this stage of the tournament with crosses in a single match.
Finishing in first place in Group B gave them the privilege of hosting all the qualifiers, from the round of 16 to a hypothetical final that has already crystallized into reality. In addition, the ‘Granca’ will have the opportunity to remove a thorn from the 2014/15 campaign, when they lost the final of this same competition against Russian Khimki.
For the outcome to smile this time at the Gran Canaria team, their coach Jaka Lakovic seems to have all the players on the squad. Barring a last-minute surprise, John Shurna will be ready for a battle that has eluded him on previous occasions; Not surprisingly, he was on the verge of lifting this title in 2019 and 2022.
“John is better. I think he will be in a position to help the team. Nobody wants to miss a match like this. We have come a long way and we are very proud to reach the final match. We really want to play this game, but we are aware that it will be a tough match where we will have to put our maximum effort”, commented Lakovic himself this Tuesday at a press conference.
“As a coach, I’m facing my first game in a final and it’s also a new situation for me. As a player I’ve already experienced many of them, but it’s different. As a player you’re nervous and you worry about the things you have to do, but as coach much more”, stressed the Slovenian coach of the ‘pío-pío’.
“In the last few days I have been totally involved in the analysis of the game, with the technical staff. For now everything is going well. Tomorrow we will all be nervous before the ball is in the air”, sentenced Lakovic, knowing that the Turkish rival has also signed a good itinerary in this Eurocup that is coming to an end.
DATASHEET.
–EQUIPMENT.
GRAN CANARIA: Albicy, Slaughter, Brussino, Shurna and Balcerowski –possible starting five–; Inglis, Kljajic, Bassas, Benite, Salvo, Diop and Stevic.
TÜRK TELEKOM ANKARA: Grant, Yilmaz, Sestina, Bouteille y Jones –posible quinteto inicial–; Guler, Yagmur, Oncel, Erden, Demir, Taylor, Eric.
–REFEREES: Pukl, Peerandi and Peer.
–PAVILION: Gran Canaria Arena.
–TIME: 9:00 p.m./DAZN and Teledeporte.