Unicaja Málaga’s Transition to the Basketball Champions League: A Descent or a Wise Move?

Unicaja’s coach, Ibon Navarro, gives instructions to his players in a duel this season. Álvaro Cabrera (EFE)

The Unicaja Málaga squad was full of internationals, but the atmosphere in the locker room was not very good because the team was not configured to perform in the mud. President Eduardo García resigned after 11 years at the helm and after an interim period, Antonio Jesús López Nieto, former First Division soccer referee, took over the presidency in July 2021. He “I assumed the position and the burden,†he points out to refer to the fact that nine players and the then coach Fotis Katsikaris had a valid contract. After barely saving the course, remodeling the bench in a hurry with Ibon Navarro and with only two victories above the relegation places, the president and the sports director, Juanma Rodriguez, gathered the staff to explain to them that the course was going to turn Not only that, they announced that Unicaja was giving up playing in the Euroleague and the Eurocup, and that theirs would be the Basketball Champions League (BCL). There were sporting, economic and political reasons, even though the fans showed disbelief and anger because the club was leaving the basketball elite after 20 years. Time, however, has validated the bet; Unicaja is second in the ACB, remains firm in Europe and now faces the defense of the cup title.

“For the city it was a loss of status and to the people it seemed outrageous. But there was an economic part, because we have a budget of 14 million and if you play every week in Europe that means a very serious expense in travel, and another larger part that was sporting; “The design of the competition does not suit,” resolves López Nieto. “The Euroleague has 34 games in the regular phase plus another 34 in your national competition, so the wear and tear is tremendous and you must have a large and guaranteed squad. We have to go to another format, not tire the fan and take care of the product,†adds RodrÃguez. “Besides, in the BCL you have more excitement because if you lose you are left out. And to be tenth in the Euroleague and fight for eighth or ninth place in the ACB… That’s why we are committed to being strong in our competition,’ adds the president. Although there was also another reason that was political, since many middle-class clubs were shocked by the news that the Euroleague was becoming a private preserve, where the same ones always play without taking into account the sporting course, with few places to play. guests. “We would like all the important actors to agree and there be fewer competitions, for the same ball to be used, for the refereeing to be similar… But there is no dialogue between the clubs to find stable basketball. If this were to change, then we would like to compete with the best,†Rodríguez intervenes. And López Nieto concludes: “If the Euroleague were more rational and redirected the tournament, Unicaja would be where it should be.”

But for now the team responds and excites the fans, who fill the Carpena with 10,000 fans every week (after the pandemic there were barely 2,000), who dream of repeating the 2000s, when the Korac Cup was won ( 2001), the Copa del Rey (2003) and the League (2006), also the presence in the Final Four of the Euroleague (2007). They already won the last Cup and this season they are second in the ACB – one game behind Madrid – after setting a historical record with 14 consecutive victories. A move that they took at the beginning of last year, renewing the squad with nine signings – “they all worked, which is not normal,” Rodriguez accepts with pride -, and that they continue in this campaign. “We got the project right and the results were far superior to what was stipulated in our strategic plan. That is why they have been renewed, although the budget became 20% more expensive. But we have had support from the bank with two million and we generated another with resources from the club,” explains López Nieto. “This group has chemistry and hunger, and we knew it could do more,†adds RodrÃguez, who hoped to give the ship to Ibon Navarro: “We were convinced that his proposal would work with the right players. It is a bet that involves a basketball of rhythm, effort, dedication and aggressiveness.

So much so that Unicaja is the only team that this year has beaten the four Spanish teams in the Euroleague (Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Valencia and Baskonia). “We have been better, yes, but perhaps they arrived tired,†reflects RodrÃguez, aware that Baskonia has not reached the Cup, punished by wear and tear. “We don’t win just because of that, but we have to be honest and recognize that their schedule is more demanding. The Euroleague is harmful,” approves López Nieto, who is looking forward to the Cup. “In a series of three or five games, due to budget, it is almost impossible to beat them, but you can beat one of them. Although this year, unlike in the past, they are waiting for us and it will be more difficult. And Rodríguez slips: “We must consider it as a moment to enjoy. Above it is at home, where we will have a majority of fans. The excitement is tremendous.”

Whatever happens, Málaga will devote itself to the team as it did in the past and as it does now. “When we came to office we were a faded symbol, but we touched historic people who were far away – like Berni Rodríguez and Carlos Cabezas – to get them to return, we built bridges with citizens and public institutions feel proud of the club because we are the flag of the city,” lists López Nieto. A success that, they say, because it is a club of the bourgeoisie but not of royalty, is understood as not competing in the Euroleague.

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2024-02-14 04:22:45
#Euroleague #Unicaja #Basketball #Sports