By Alex Madrid / amadrid@eurohoops.net
The big day has arrived in Bilbao.
People are still arriving from Manresa to see the final and it seems clear that the crowd will be red. However, in the atmosphere, there is also the feeling that Lenovo Tenerife is favorite due to its experience in the Basketball Champions League.
Before, of course, we will have the game for third and fourth place. A bitter moment for the other two semifinalists, but that serves as an appetizer for the big one.
Speaking of appetizers, if you come to the north it is mandatory to eat well. That’s what we’ll do before heading to Bilbao Arena… This was our choice!
Nuestra final de la #BasketballCL pic.twitter.com/b4wj3qNfur
— Alex Madrid (@TheAlexMadrid) May 8, 2022
After lunch, we headed to the arena to watch the bronze game. Or, better said, the exhibition of Justin Simon, who scored 27 points -most for a player in a Final Four game- and handed Ludwigsburg the third position. The Germans rolled Hapoel Holon (88-68) to improve the fourth place reached four years ago in Athens.
But let’s talk about the final.
Lenovo Tenerife arrived first, one hour and 45 minutes before the jump ball. BAXI Manresa did so shortly after, surrounded by the color red -despite they, flares, and more than a thousand fans. Unbelievable, check it.
QUÉ LOCURA DE RECIBIMIENTO
Así ha llegado el @BasquetManresa al Bilbao Arena#BasketballCL pic.twitter.com/IEC2X2Xfgb
— Alex Madrid (@TheAlexMadrid) May 8, 2022
I have been told that this is already the largest ever Spanish fan attendance for a single team at a basketball event. And remember, this is the first time that the BCL organizes the Final Four in a neutral venue. After the brave decision the competition took, I would consider it a huge success. They enjoyed the game but ended up suffering with their team’s defeat.
Marcelinho Huertas, ageless and about to turn 39, led Canarias to its second BCL title. This team’s dominance of the competition over the years is incredible, as they showed in the second half of the final. After the final buzzer, the celebration began on the court, continued in the mixed zone, and ended in the locker room.
It was funny to see Kyle Wiltjer claiming cigars: “I’ve seen that when you win a title you celebrate like that, I hope they give it to us in the locker room“, he said.
We also were close to Manresa players. They were extremely sad and aware that a great stage of basketball careers is over. However, they have had a great season and will take a step forward this summer. They deserve it.
?? EL @CB1939Canarias, BICAMPEÓN DE LA #BASKETBALLCL ?⚫️ pic.twitter.com/PKZq8Af2WW
— EurohoopsES (@EurohoopsES) May 8, 2022
Now, I’m writing these last lines from the press tribune, the place where I have spent the most time this weekend. They have started to turn off the lights, to dismantle the court. The 2021-22 season is over and I can only say that the end of the party has been magnificent.