The ‘taronja’ team receives Fenerbahçe, both in search of their second victory
MADRID, 12 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Valencia Basket will host Fenerbahçe Beko this Friday (8:30 p.m.) in a match corresponding to matchday 2 of the Euroleague, with the ‘taronja’ team once again entrusted to the warmth of its audience, against an opponent that is also seeking its second victory in this start of the European course.
The San Luis Fountain Pavilion will host another Euroleague duel a week after the premiere against AS Monaco, and also on matchday 3 they will reopen their doors for the duel against Maccabi Tel Aviv. The war unleashed by Hamas in Israel has altered the calendar, so Álex Mumbrú’s pupils have the option of strengthening themselves at home.
Jared Harper will certainly not be included in the ‘Taronja’ coach’s plans, having injured his right shoulder during the game against the Monegasques after receiving a strong blow. The American point guard also missed the subsequent match in the Endesa League against Monbus Obradoiro, having confirmed that he suffers a sprain.
Icelandic point guard Martin Hermannsson, who underwent surgery on his left knee a month ago, is still absent at the start of the season. Meanwhile, Spanish forward Xabi López-Arostegui has been out for six months due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot and lacks the confidence to return to the field.
Despite the aforementioned losses, Valencia Basket has started the 2023/24 campaign well, showing a record of three wins and a single defeat in its four league games already played. The most recent victory took place last Sunday, also in La Fonteta, 85-79 against Obradoiro.
The team led by Mumbrú will want to prolong that love affair with their fans, especially because they will receive an opponent with less experience. Fenerbahçe has only played two games in the Turkish Süper Ligi to date, achieving a huge victory (95-58) over Çagdas Bodrum Spor and suffering a defeat against Pinar Karsiyaka (84-79).
Of course, in their eagerness to get into the ‘playoffs’ or at least in the ‘play-in’ when the Regular Phase of the Euroleague ends, Dimitris Itoudis’s pupils got off to a good start. On matchday 1, they beat Olimpia Milano 85-82 in overtime, despite suffering from the scoring success of Spanish-Montenegrin power forward Nikola Mirotic (27 points).
Presumably without power forwards James Birsen and Yigit Mestoglu due to injuries, Fenerbahçe is seeking a good result that will put it in the forefront of a demanding top continental competition. However, the introduction of this ‘play-in’ (from 7th to 10th) has relieved clubs that stumble too much throughout the season.
DATASHEET.
–EQUIPMENT.
VALENCIA BASKET: Jones, Robertson, Inglis, Puerto and Davies –possible starting five–; Claver, Harper, Pradilla, Reuvers, Jovic, Touré and Ojeleye.
FENERBAHÇE: Calathes, Dorsey, Hayes, Madar and Pierre –possible starting quintet–; Motley, Guduric, Mahmutoglu, Papagiannis, Sanli, Sestina and Wilbekin.
–REFEREES: Jovcic, Shemmesh and Zamojski.
–PAVILLION: Pavilion of the San Luis Fountain.
–TIME: 20.30/Movistar+.