La Bisbal d’Empordà, Spain – The Sol Gironès Bisbal Bàsquet team faces a crucial match this Saturday against Salou, a game that presents a significant opportunity to virtually secure their position in the Segunda FEB league. Yet, head coach Eric Surís is urging caution, tempering expectations ahead of the contest at the Pavelló Vell (6:10 PM local time, 4:10 PM UTC). Despite Salou currently sitting at the bottom of the league table, Surís believes they are a vastly improved side and should not be underestimated.
“Salou is a completely different team now,” Surís explained in a pre-match press conference. “They are last in the standings, but that doesn’t imply this game will be an simple win. Not at all. They’ve practically changed the entire squad, even more than we have, and are currently playing very well. All indicators suggest they are at a high competitive level, consistently challenging opponents. They’ve had a strong second half of the season, likely achieving fewer wins than their position requires. They are a very tough, powerful team that, under normal circumstances, would be in the mid-to-upper part of the table.”
The Bisbal Bàsquet team, sponsored by Sol Gironès, has experienced a recent dip in form, suffering consecutive defeats against Castelló (81-83) and Saragossa (81-74) in closely contested matches. Surís emphasized the team’s focus on consistent effort and competitiveness. “Our obsession is daily work and competing in every game to be in a position to win them. It’s not something special for us. I consider it’s been consistent with the dynamics of the league. Many games are decided in the last seconds. That’s the trend in the league, which has become very even as it progresses, and it’s very noticeable in this second half of the season.”
A Critical Stage of the Season
With five matchdays remaining in the regular season, Surís acknowledged the importance of the upcoming games. “We have to glance at it positively. This is a new opportunity for us to play at the Pavelló Vell with our fans and achieve a victory. There are five games left, and we need to start looking at the standings, but I’m sure all the teams below us would trade places with us. We need to enjoy the process and work hard every day.” He similarly stressed the importance of avoiding complacency and maintaining a focused mindset.
The coach downplayed any pressure stemming from the team’s results, stating, “I don’t think the results place pressure on us. We have to put the pressure on ourselves in training to attempt to raise the bar with all the ups and downs we’ve experienced this season. There’s a lot left to play for. We are in the final stretch, but anything can happen in five games, especially if we compete. Who says we can’t win all five or lose all five? Things can change a lot. We need to focus on ourselves and this difficult game against Salou.”
Founded in 1994 through the merger of BC La Bisbal and Atlètic Bisbalenc, the Club Esportiu Bisbal Bàsquet has a rich history in the region. The club spent four seasons in the Liga EBA before achieving promotion to the LEB Plata (now Segunda FEB) in 2024. They secured their place in the Segunda FEB after a dramatic playoff situation, exchanging places with CB Prat to avoid relegation in the 2024-25 season, finishing 11th in the league.
Surís highlighted the team’s defensive improvements as a key factor in their recent performances. “We’ve grown defensively, that was our priority. But we still have room to improve. Offensively, it’s a process. We understand each other much better, there are patterns, mechanisms we’ve created, knowing what the teammate will do, understanding each other with glances… We are achieving that after all this time. However, we still have things to introduce and gain more resources with different approaches and profiles of opponents we encounter.”
The coach also noted the positive impact of recent results on the team’s morale. “The team is good. We knew that before the short Christmas break there was an important sprint, with three games in seven days. A victory always gives you a boost, but we must be able to turn the page and travel for the next one.”
Salou, despite being at the bottom of the Segunda FEB standings with only four victories, is known for its competitive spirit. Surís anticipates a challenging match, emphasizing the need for his team to be at their best. The game is scheduled for Saturday at 6:10 PM local time (4:10 PM UTC) at the Pavelló Vell in La Bisbal d’Empordà.
Looking ahead, the Sol Gironès Bisbal Bàsquet will need to maintain their focus and intensity as they navigate the final stretch of the season. The outcome of Saturday’s match against Salou could prove pivotal in their quest to secure a comfortable position in the league standings.
Next Up: The Sol Gironès Bisbal Bàsquet will travel to face their next opponent following Saturday’s match against Salou. Details regarding the date, time, and location will be announced on the club’s official website.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming match? Share your predictions and comments below!
)
