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Diario Euskadi

Bilbao Basket Seeks Historic Comeback in Miribilla for FIBA Europe Cup

The Bilbao team needs to overcome a six-point deficit against Greek side PAOK in the final's second leg, with a packed arena supporting them.

Generic image of a basketball net with a ball passing through.
IA

Generic image of a basketball net with a ball passing through.

Bilbao Basket faces a historic challenge this afternoon in the second leg of the FIBA Europe Cup final against Greek team PAOK, aiming to overcome a six-point deficit and claim the European title in a sold-out Miribilla arena.

Basque sports are experiencing a key day, with a strong focus on basketball. Bilbao Basket faces a date with history this afternoon in the second leg of the FIBA Europe Cup final against Greek side PAOK. The Bilbao team needs to overcome a six-point disadvantage after the 79-73 first-leg result to lift the European title, and they will do so with the support of a Miribilla arena packed with 10,000 spectators.
The coach, Jaume Ponsarnau, has emphasized the importance of managing pressure and turning it into momentum. He admitted that it would make no sense to be involved in this profession if they didn't feel those nerves during a final. The coach advocates focusing on what the team can control and "learning from those first 40 minutes." The key, according to Ponsarnau, will be "trying to take advantage of playing at home, which is where we have played our best basketball this season."
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"It wouldn't make sense for us to dedicate ourselves to this if, during a final, we didn't have that feeling, those nerves. The key will be to try and take advantage of playing at home, which is where we have played our best basketball this season."

Jaume Ponsarnau · Coach
From the squad, player Melwin Pantzar has outlined the team's tasks to achieve the comeback. He explained that, especially in defense, it will be crucial to defend their two guard-forwards, and in offense, to make more shots. For Pantzar, victory would mean a lot: "It would be a dream to win two titles with Bilbao. It's not easy at all, so hopefully, we win the second one on Wednesday."
The atmosphere at Miribilla is considered a decisive factor, and in the broadcast of Cope Más Bilbao, a collaborator, Roberto Arriaga, has even given "seven points" of advantage to the home court factor. For his part, player Adam Jaworski expressed pride in playing his first continental final, as it was one of the team's objectives.
In football, Deportivo Alavés is preparing a crucial match for its future in LaLiga. The Vitoria team will host Athletic Club this Saturday at Mendizorrotza with the aim of securing three points that would bring them closer to mathematical salvation. The Alavés coach, Quique Sánchez Flores, has preferred not to make calculations about the points needed for permanence and has opted for his philosophy of the present. Meanwhile, Athletic Club will arrive at Mendizorrotza with the sole absence of Beñat Prados and the instruction from their coach, Ernesto Valverde, not to be overconfident. Real Sociedad, on the other hand, is in a period of rest after three draws and a defeat, with defensive fragility being the main concern.

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