Moncho Fernández Reaches 50th Game Milestone with Bàsquet Girona Ahead of Valencia Clash

Girona, Spain — Girona head coach Moncho Fernández is set to reach a significant personal milestone on Sunday, April 20, 2026, as he coaches his 50th game for Bàsquet Girona in the Liga ACB. The match against Valencia Basket will take place at the Fontajau Pavilion in Girona, with tip-off scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Local time (16:00 UTC).

Fernández, who has been at the helm of the Girona club since the 2024-25 season, expressed his appreciation for the club’s growth and the support of the local fans during a pre-match press conference. “It makes me very happy to be part of a project that is growing and moving forward,” Fernández said in Catalan, as reported by local Girona media. He emphasized the importance of playing at home, stating, “This is our reason for being: we play basketball because we have the people beside us. It is very important to play at home. When things don’t go as we want, the fans give us support by shouting and encouraging us. The pavilion is a pressure cooker, it helps us a lot.”

The Girona coach acknowledged the challenges his team faces heading into the Valencia match, particularly regarding player availability. Fernández confirmed that he will have to make a last-minute decision on the availability of center Nikola Marić, whose participation remains uncertain due to a shoulder issue. “Nikola Marić did not train with us this week. Today he will be able to do a little and we will see because the shoulder is a very complicated joint,” Fernández explained, referencing the ongoing uncertainty around Marić’s condition.

Marić’s potential absence would add to the existing injury list for Girona, which already includes forwards Juan Fernández and Maxi Fjellerup. Fernández noted that Valencia, currently ranked second in the Liga ACB standings, presents a formidable challenge, especially in offensive rebounding. “We need the interior players and it is important, especially against the best team in offensive rebounding in the League like Valencia,” he stated, highlighting the tactical challenge posed by the visitors.

Despite acknowledging Valencia’s status as one of Europe’s top teams — “Valencia is one of the best teams in Europe. The best defensively and one of the best offensively” — Fernández expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to find solutions. “We will find solutions for the team,” he said, accepting the limitations imposed by the injury situation. “The injuries are the main problem. Juan Fernández is making progress and seems to be in the final part of his recovery, I hope there are no further setbacks.”

Fernández’s journey to this milestone reflects his extensive experience in Spanish basketball. Born in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, on September 19, 1969, the 56-year-old coach has built a reputation as one of the most respected figures in the Liga ACB. Prior to joining Girona, he spent 14 seasons with Obradoiro Club Amigos del Baloncesto from 2010 to 2024, where he established a record for the most consecutive seasons coaching the same team in the Liga ACB with 13 straight campaigns.

During his tenure at Obradoiro, Fernández earned the nickname “El Alquimista” (The Alchemist) for his ability to develop competitive teams despite limited resources. His coaching career began in 2000 as an assistant with Gijón Baloncesto, and he has since held head coaching positions with various clubs across Spain’s basketball leagues, including stints with Gijón Baloncesto, Villa de Los Barrios, and Murcia.

The Fontajau Pavilion, Girona’s home arena, has become a fortress for the team under Fernández’s guidance. The coach consistently highlights the role of the home crowd in the team’s performance, noting how the atmosphere creates a “pressure cooker” environment that benefits the home side. This factor will be particularly crucial against a Valencia team known for its strong defensive and offensive capabilities.

As Girona prepares to face the second-ranked team in the Liga ACB, Fernández’s 50th game represents both a personal achievement and a testament to the project he has helped build since his arrival. The coach’s focus remains on maximizing the available resources and leveraging the home advantage to compete against one of the league’s top teams.

The match against Valencia will be a key test for Girona as they look to build on their progress under Fernández’s leadership. With the coach reaching this significant milestone, the game serves as an opportunity to assess the team’s development and resilience in the face of adversity.

Fans can follow the match through official Liga ACB channels, with updates available on the league’s website and mobile application. The Girona club will provide post-match analysis and reactions through its official media channels following the conclusion of the game.

As the team prepares for this important fixture, the focus remains on the immediate challenge while building toward future goals. Fernández’s 50th game milestone underscores the continuity and vision he has brought to the Bàsquet Girona project since his arrival in 2024.