Valencia uncorks its eighth Euroleague against Monaco
The ‘taronja’ begin a new adventure with enthusiasm against a candidate for the ‘Final Four’
MADRID, 5 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Valencia Basket receives AS Mónaco this Friday in La Fonteta (8:30 p.m.) on the opening day of the Regular Phase of the 2023/24 Euroleague, in what will be the eighth ‘taronja’ adventure in the continental elite and in a high-profile duel level against some Monegasques who, once again, will opt to be among the four contenders for the title.
For this eighth participation in the Euroleague, Valencia Basket has been completely renewed and after saying goodbye to captain and myth Bojan Dubljevic and important men like Shannon Evans and James Webb III, they trust in the changes made to be able to remain competitive.
Álex Mumbrú’s men, who continues to lead the Valencia team, have started the season well with victories in the Endesa League against Tenerife and Málaga. Now, facing this powerful and also reinforced Monaco, they want to test themselves in Europe without any pressure and with the help of La Fonteta.
Four of the signings – Kassius Robertson, Nate Reuvers, Damien Inglis and Boubacar Touré – could make their debut in the Euroleague for a Valencia Basket that has Martin Hermannsson and Xabi López-Arostegui injured and whose final squad will be revealed by the coach just a few hours later. before the first match of this Regular Phase.
“We have to win by doing well at home. We know the difficulty of this year of the Euroleague, it seemed that last year was the hardest and this year with the reinforcements that have been there it seems even more so. I think the team arrives prepared to compete the first game. We are not yet in the version we want but little by little we are getting there,” Mumbrú pointed out in the preview.
The ‘taronja’ could set themselves the goal of finishing in a better position than last year in the Regular Phase. It would be an ambitious goal, since Valencia Basket returned to the Euroleague last season with a record of 15-19 and remained in the fight for the ‘Playoff’ until a couple of days before the end of the Regular Phase.
The first obstacle is tough, but AS Monaco arrives, barring an express recovery, without its star signing; that of Kemba Walker of the Dallas Mavericks. And former ‘taronja’ Jordan Loyd is also injured. On the other hand, the new Petr Cornelie, Mam Jaiteh and Terry Tarpey would join the clash.
The Monegasques, who won the League and Cup in France last year and reached their first ‘Final Four’ of the Euroleague, continue to count on the points of Mike James, Elie Okobo and Alpha Diallo at the start of the season in the French league , and they arrive undefeated at this match in La Fonteta.
DATASHEET.
–EQUIPMENT.
VALENCIA BASKET: Harper, Robertson, Puerto, Reuvers and Davies –possible starting five–; Claver, Pradilla, Jones, Ferrando, Inglis, Touré and Ojeleye.
AS MONACO: James, Ouattara, Diallo, Brown and Hall –possible starting five-; Okobo, Blossomgame, Cornelie, Jaiteh, Motiejunas, Tarpey, Strazel and Hall.
–REFEREES: Javor, Hordov and Peerandi.
–PAVILLION: Fuente De San Luis Pavilion.
–TIME: 20.30/Movistar+.