Two of the biggest powerhouses in the Spanish League tip off the new Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, with Valencia Basket hosting Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz at La Fonteta on Thursday, October 6. Both teams brought in a few new faces during the summer, but they have also kept most of their cores together from last season.
Valencia vs. Baskonia: A classic Spanish duel to open the season
One notable change for Valencia and Baskonia can be seen on the benches. Valencia appointed 2006 EuroCup champion Alex Mumbru, who will make his coaching debut in the league after spending the last four years with Bilbao Basket of Spain. On the other side, Baskonia brought in Joan Penarroya, Valencia's coach last year, so he will surely have a good idea of the ins and outs of his new team's first opponent this season.
Heading into the new campaign, both Valencia and Baskonia have their sights set on a playoff berth. Valencia is coming off a solid 7DAYS EuroCup campaign, while Baskonia had a lackluster season in the EuroLeague, so both sides will be looking to take things to another level in 2022-23. This will be the 10th time that these two have met in the EuroLeague, with Valencia having a slim advantage in this rivalry so far, having won five games to Baskonia's four. The last time that they faced off in the EuroLeague was in April 2021, as Valencia won 86-81 at home.