By Alex Molina /info@eurohoops.net
The 2026 Final Playoff, which kicks off next Thursday, June 18, had its official launch with a presentation befitting the occasion.
The iconic balcony of Valencia City Hall was the chosen venue for the press conference prior to the start of the Endesa League final. Present were the coaches of Valencia Basket, Pedro Martínez, and Barça, Xavi Pascual, along with their players, Valencia’s Jaime Pradilla and Barça’s Tornike Shengelia.
The first to speak was the coach of the team that will host the first game of the series. Pedro Martínez stated, “We are where we all want to be at the start of the season. We have done a good job throughout the year to be competitive now. We don’t have a guarantee of winning, but we are certain that the work we have done to get here has been good.”
Next, Barça coach Xavi Pascual stated, “We’re really excited about this. It’s taken us a little while to adapt, but we’re happy to be here now. We know how tough our opponent is and the great work Valencia Basket has done all season, but we’re here to be competitive and fight in every game.”
Then it was the players’ turn, starting with Jaime Pradilla, who once again emphasized the team’s enthusiasm heading into this Final Playoff. “We’re really looking forward to starting this final. It’s been an exciting year for everyone in Valencia. We know how difficult these first two games will be, but our fans will be there to support us in this series against a tough opponent who are having a great end to the year.”
Finally, Toko Shengelia also explained that “we’re really excited and happy to be in the final,” adding that “we’ll be facing a very important and very serious opponent.”
When it came time for questions, Pedro Martínez emphasized that “it’s normal for it to be a long and evenly matched final,” adding that “inaugurating a world-class arena has helped bring a lot of attention to basketball. And then the results have followed. We have many players whose style of play captivates the fans.”
Xavi Pascual recalled that “Valencia Basket has played the best basketball in Europe all season, without a doubt. Our style is a little different, and that’s why I think it will be a great series for the fans.”
Shengelia, who came up through the Valencia Basket youth system, stated that “I’ve grown a lot as a player and as a person here, and I’ve always been very grateful to the club for all of that. I never imagined I’d be able to experience a final like this, but that’s what sports are all about.”
Jaime Pradilla highlighted that “we’ve had a good year, but the Final Four game has brought us even closer together so we can fight for what’s left and face this end of the season in the best possible way.”
Both coaches, when questioned about home-court advantage, downplayed its significance. “It has relative value. Both teams have won at home and away. And we saw what happened in the quarterfinals. Obviously, we all want home-court advantage, but no one can say we can’t win away from home. Time will tell,” declared Xavi Pascual.
“I agree 100%. Barça has incredibly experienced players who have played on difficult courts. We have less experience, but this season we’ve won playoff games on very tough courts. Home-court advantage gives you an extra boost, but you’re not going to win if you play badly,” concluded Pedro Martínez.
Foto ACB
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