VALENCIA BASKET (SPAIN)

Founded in 1986
Team colors: orange, black, white
Honors: Spanish National League (2017), Spanish Supercup (2017), EuroCup winner (2003, 2010, 2014), EuroCup runner-up (2012), Copa del Rey winner (1998), Copa del Rey runner-up (2000, 2006, 2013, 2017), Saporta Cup runner-up (1999, 2002), Liga ACB runner-up (2003)
Arena: Pabellón Fuente San Luis (capacity – 9000)
President: Vicente J. Solà Sanz
Official website: www.valenciabasket.com

Where to watch
LIVE: Match TV (22:25), EuroLeague TV, Sportbox.ru
Text online: EuroLeague website

GAME NOTES

BC Khimki and Valencia Basket have faced off 12 times so far this decade; 11 of those came in the EuroCup, including the 2012 title game which Khimki won 77-68 to lift the crown. Two current BC Khimki players, Sergey Monya and Egor Vyaltsev, played on the winning team, and Valencia’s Rafa Martinez was on the losing side. BC Khimki point guard Stefan Markovic played for Valencia in that game.

Markovic played two seasons for Valencia from 2011 through 2013. He was a teammate there of current Valencia players Bojan Dubljevic and Rafa Martinez.

Markovic and Valencia’s Will Thomas were teammates at Unicaja Malaga during the 2014-15 season.

PRE-GAME QUOTES

Georgios Bartzokas, BC Khimki head coach:

“We expect a tough game as Valencia is playing much better now. The atmosphere at their arena is really tough; their fans are pushing a lot their team and it’s really noisy over there. This team has very experienced players, especially guards. We need to play for forty minutes possession by possession because they have quality and can punish you. At the same time, we shouldn’t forget that Valencia is the reigning champion of Spain”.

Anthony Gill, BC Khimki forward:

“Since our first game with Valencia, we had many ups and downs. Our team has had a lot of injuries, a lot of guys coming in and out of the roster. We won a lot of games; we lost a lot of games. I think we are a more experienced team right now and have more chemistry that we age going to show in Spain. Valencia is a great team and a great club, so we have to be ready to contest them”.