By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Unicaja Malaga won the 2024 Basketball Champions League crown in Belgrade and received a hero’s welcome from its fans upon returning to Spain.
The team hopped onto a custom-decorated bus and cruised through the city streets, which were packed with excited fans braving the rain to catch a glimpse of their champions.
Over at the town hall, Malaga Mayor Francisco de la Torre and Andalucia Diputacion’s Francisco Salado were there to welcome the Unicaja delegation. Salado, who had been with the team in Belgrade, was one of the first to offer congratulations during Sunday night’s trophy celebration.
#Deporte101Málaga #ZonaVerde101 #UnicajaBaloncesto #CopadelRey
📺🏀🏆👑 Primera parada de la rua del @unicajaCB en la sede de la entidad financiera Unicaja de la Plaza de la Marina en el centro de Málaga pic.twitter.com/8Us3Y9EyLo— 101 Málaga (@101tvMalaga) February 20, 2023
From the balcony of the town hall, the team proudly displayed their hard-earned trophy to the roaring crowd below. Club president Antonio Jesús López Nieto, head coach Ibon Navarro, team captain Alberto Díaz, and Dylan Osetkowski took turns addressing the fans, expressing their gratitude and excitement.
And let’s not forget the epic reception at Malaga airport in the wee hours of Monday morning. The Unicaja charter flight touched down, carrying the coveted BCL trophy as its newest passenger.
It was a triumphant return home for the champions.