2024-09-30 05:36:26
The inaugural day of the Endesa League He has left us a weekend for memory, and it has made good (thank goodness) the predictions that we gurus predict about the equality and competitiveness that will be suffered and enjoyed in equal parts this campaign.
They are going to have to go through games and more games so that in A Coruña the euphoria caused by the 3+1 of Yunio Barrueta which helped Leyma, in its first match in ACB, defeat the current champion, a Real Madrid which, one more weekend, showed how short its squad is, something that becomes even more acute without Mario Hezonja in the team.
The white team’s setback was the most unexpected, but not the only one. Baskonia could not return from Tenerife with the victory, Manresa embittered Pedro Martinez on his return to the Nou Congost with Valencia Basket, and UCAM Murcia They also lost at the Olímpic against Joventut, with a frustrated Sito Alonso being sent off from the match.
Barça, first leader
Where there was no room for surprise was in the Palau Blaugrana. The third quarter marred a great performance by a Barça team that had a great first half, and that came out on top in the final period to finish off a Granada called to suffer a lot this course. Few conclusions can be drawn from matchday 1 of the Endesa League, but what is worth highlighting is the great first quarter of Joel Parra in which he contributed 10 points, and to the excellent game of Come on Metu, Barça’s top scorer with 17 points.
The Barça team, who had left such good feelings internally during the preseason, took the opportunity to meet their new fans and give them a dream performance, and in which the good ‘Mezie’ showed all his facets of a versatile attack that he treasures. You should not get carried away by euphoria, and we have to wait for his adaptation to European basketball to follow the right path, but his letter of introduction was really good.
It’s nice to see how this Endesa League has started. Starting this week, the best domestic league on the continent will alternate with the second best world basketball competition, such as the Euroleague. The moment we have been waiting for so long has already arrived, and one more year, it is time to enjoy it.
Foul in attack
Justin, never change
After winning the Catalan League, Audie Norris and Justin Anderson met in an emotional hug, in which they exchanged a few words, before the new Barça forward signed shirts and took photos with a young fan who was demanding him. The legendary Barça player, who has been an ambassador for the club since 2021, revealed to me one of the demands that he had transmitted to the player, in relation to that energy and character that characterize him so much: “I have told him that it doesn’t matter how many techniques they give him this year, he shouldn’t change. He has to always play with the same intensity, which is what we need.” Audie is great, and I’m happy to see him with that immovable smile on his face for another year. And what an alley oop by Nico Laprovittola with Anderson in the game against Granada. Superior quality.
“What, is Peñarroya very serious?”
It was the question that some teammates and friends asked me after interviewing Joan Peñarroya, Barça’s new coach, last Friday. The new Barça coach opened the doors of the Palau Blaugrana to SPORT for a chat of these first weeks at the helm of the team, and to draw up the roadmap for a demanding season that both he and the team have ahead of them.
Joan attended us with a smile, with kindness, respect, and knowing that at the beginning of the course it is time to ‘comply’ with the requests of the media. I think he was excited that we ‘paired’ him with the great Floppball, whom he trained in Olesa 15 years ago. Many times we wonder if life is fair in every sense, also in the work section. What I know is that after almost two decades on the bench, starting from very low, Peñarroya, thanks to his work, has been passed by the Barça train. And I would be very surprised if he didn’t take advantage of the opportunity. Good luck, Joan.
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