Fuente: © FIBA (Federación Internacional de Basket)
http://www.fiba.org/

FIBA: ESP - Girona face DKV in top-of-the-table clash

/noticias.info/ MADRID (ACB) - DKV Joventut Badalona and Akasvayu Girona square off in a showdown of high-fliers this weekend.

Girona, who broke the bank this summer to lure great players like Spanish internationals Fran Vazquez and Raul Lopez to the team, will take on a DKV side which has every chance of winning the EuroCup and possibly the ACB.

Aito Garcia, the coach of DKV, admits there has been a buzz in practice in the build-up to the game.

"It's going to be a special game," he said on DKV's official website, "different from other years because never before have we met when both teams are in such a good position."

Girona, who have enjoyed outstanding contributions from Terrell Myers, have seven wins and just one defeat, while DKV are in sixth place with a 5-3 mark.

"Normally they are not so high up, and that makes the game more interesting," Aito said.

"The players and the team realise this game is important, as there is a lot more interest from the press.

"The game is also being transmitted on TV and there is sure to be a big crowd in the stands.

"They are factors which will make the players even more motivated than normal."

The game will bring Aito together with one of his former players at Barcelona, Roberto Duenas.

The former Spanish international had an operation in the close season and is back to fitness now.

Barcelona did not retain his services, allowing Duenas to join the Girona revolution.

"I'm delighted that Roberto has returned to playing games," Aito said.

"The most important thing for Roberto is that he is fine physically, and that after his operation, his problems have been solved.

"I'm sure that Roberto will be a key player."

Aito has also been pleased with his Spanish international Rudy Fernandez, who had won back-to-back weekly MVP awards in the ACB with his performances.

"I believe that his mentality is very good at the moment and that is showing in his performances," Aito said.

"He is continuing in the same line he showed in his first year, and that involves all aspects of his play, not just scoring baskets.

"This is a progression which makes him a key player, a player who can decide games with a lot of different aspects of his play."

As for Girona, they have lived up to the hype.

They struggled in pre-season, but now they definitely have the look of title contenders.

"It is logical that they have take time to come together as a team and find a balance," Aito said.

"They have signed nine players, so it's not easy. Now they are playing at a good level and they will not be an easy rival for us.

Real Madrid had no problem beating Ulker Istanbul 70-58 on Thursday and coach Bozidar Maljkovic now hopes for a repeat performance, although he accepts tiredness and injuries to Venson Hamilton and Igor Rakocevic have made things more difficult.

"We still have physical problems, and that is harming us, especially in the Liga ACB," said Maljkovic, who doesn't like comparisons between Madrid's European and domestic form.

"It's not as if we have one face in Europe and another in the ACB," he added.

"My position is to go hard for the ACB and I think we are going to improve. When Rakocevic and Hamilton leave their problems behind, the team will start improving."

Gran Canaria travel in high spirits, although their EuroCup defeat to Rhein Energie Kohn on Tuesday was a reality check for Salva Maldonado's side.

Nevertheless, they are above Madrid with five wins and only three defeats, and with Sitapha Savane in good form of late, they will provide a severe test for Maljkovic's men.

Tau Ceramica entertain Pamesa Valencia, who are expected to have new signing Blake Stepp in their line-up.

The American shooting guard joined Valencia this week after recovering from a knee operation.

"It took me a while to recover after I had an operation this summer, but I feel good now," said Stepp.

Unicaja Malaga, meanwhile, face Alta Gestion Fuenlabrada, who travel fresh from beating Madrid.

This means Sergio Scariolo cannot afford to rest key players following his side's Euroleague win over Montepaschi Sienna.

"We are playing with fire in that aspect and I am really worried that Jorge Garbajosa is playing a lot of minutes," Scariolo said.

Barcelona face Caja San Fernando, Caja coach Manuel Comas returning to another of the clubs he has coached during his long career.

Last year's surprise package Etosa Alicante are desperate to get going against struggling Forum Valladolid, as they are finding it difficult to repeat the form they showed 12 months ago.

"We have to realise that we are not playing together in order for things to change," said Alicante centre Larry Lewis.

Lagun Aro Bilbao will look to put successive defeats to Barcelona and Girona behind them when they host Adecco Estudiantes, where the storm surrounding the Carlos Jimenez appears to have calmed following last week's win over Valencia.

Finally, Leche Rio entertain Ricoh Manresa, while Llanera Menorca aim to build on last weekend's amazing win over Barcelona by repeating the trick over Granada, for whom Jose Antonio Paraiso makes his 450th ACB appearance.

PA International
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