Surne Bilbao arrived in Thessaloniki on Tuesday, where they will play the first leg of the FIBA Europe Cup final on Wednesday. The official delegation, comprising players, coaching staff, and about a hundred fans, exuded excitement at the prospect of repeating continental glory, while being fully aware of the need to perform well at Palataki to secure a favorable outcome for the return leg next week in Miribilla.

The team's coach confirmed his expectation to have a key American forward available for this initial match. The player, who missed last Saturday's game against Baxi Manresa due to a muscle injury, was able to complete part of Tuesday's training with his teammates and is “progressing adequately to be able to play tomorrow,” as stated by the coach.

The coach acknowledged that his feeling is that “we are not at 100%, but these days we are positive with our work because we are evolving, with the conviction that tomorrow we will be better.” This will be necessary, as the objective demands the greatest effort: “Last year was an experience that will remain in our memory forever, and we are excited for it to be just as beautiful again. But we also know that after this there will be another forty minutes that we will play in Miribilla, and that makes us very excited.”

Caution regarding the potential of the Greek team is absolute. The coach emphasized, “We greatly respect the evolution they have had. With the previous coach, they sought to have more essence and more collective play, and now collective play emerges from individualities, but very well organized and thought out, and from dynamism. It is very important that we are good with their individualities and also in what leads to the collective. It is a team that has points but has also grown in its defensive solidity. We will have to attack as a team.”