FC Barcelona
One of the most successful sporting clubs anywhere, Barcelona started winning basketball titles in the 1940s, but its first era of international greatness came in the 1980s. A stellar group led by Nacho Solozabal, Chicho Sibilio and Juan Antonio San Epifanio reached the 1984 EuroLeague Final and then won the 1985 and 1986 Saporta Cups before lifting the Korac Cup in 1987. Barcelona also made three straight EuroLeague Final Fours from 1989 to 1991 but lost each time to eventual champion Split. Another trio of Final Four trips in the 1990s also proved fruitless before Barca won a second Korac Cup in 1999. EuroLeague glory finally arrived in 2003 when the great Dejan Bodiroga teamed up with Gregor Fucka, Sarunas Jasikevicius and Juan Carlos Navarro for the club's first continental crown. The 2009-10 season saw Navarro, Ricky Rubio and Pete Mickeal post an incredible 20-2 record on the way to the EuroLeague crown. Three more Final Four appearances in the next four years were followed by a rare slump before Jasikevicius's return as head coach in 2020 sparked an upturn. Barca went on to reach the 2021 Championship Game and Final Fours the next two seasons. Last season, Barca reached the EuroLeague Playoffs and lost against AS Monaco in Game 5 at the buzzer. After two trophyless seasons, Barca should be more motivated than ever to live up to its standards.
One of the most successful sporting clubs anywhere, Barcelona started winning basketball titles in the 1940s, but its first era of international greatness came in the 1980s. A stellar group led by Nacho Solozabal, Chicho Sibilio and Juan Antonio San Epifanio reached the 1984 EuroLeague Final and then won the 1985 and 1986 Saporta Cups before lifting the Korac Cup in 1987. Barcelona also made three straight EuroLeague Final Fours from 1989 to 1991 but lost each time to eventual champion Split. Another trio of Final Four trips in the 1990s also proved fruitless before Barca won a second Korac Cup in 1999. EuroLeague glory finally arrived in 2003 when the great Dejan Bodiroga teamed up
with Gregor Fucka, Sarunas Jasikevicius and Juan Carlos Navarro for the club's first continental crown. The 2009-10 season saw Navarro, Ricky Rubio and Pete Mickeal post an incredible 20-2 record on the way to the EuroLeague crown. Three more Final Four appearances in the next four years were followed by a rare slump before Jasikevicius's return as head coach in 2020 sparked an upturn. Barca went on to reach the 2021 Championship Game and Final Fours the next two seasons. Last season, Barca reached the EuroLeague Playoffs and lost against AS Monaco in Game 5 at the buzzer. After two trophyless seasons, Barca should be more motivated than ever to live up to its standards.
