Mumbru ahead of Valencia's EuroLeague return: 'We can't think about playoffs' / News - Basketnews.com

After four seasons at Bilbao Basket, Alex Mumbru is excited to make a step up in his career.

Credit: Zuma Press – Scanpix Credit Zuma Press – Scanpix

Valencia Basket are back to the EuroLeague this season. Meanwhile, Alex Mumbru will make his debut in the competition as head coach.

Alex Mumbru

Position:PF, SFAge:42Height:202 cmWeight:100 kgBirth place:Barcelona, SpainProfileNewsStatistics

After four seasons at Bilbao Basket, Mumbru is excited to make a step forward in his career and face the best European coaches.

Valencia's bench boss appeared in front of the media before the EuroLeague opener against Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.

"We start the EuroLeague season against a team that is used to playing in this competition. They are a good team. Baskonia also had a good pre-season. Joan Penarroya [former Valencia's head coach] knows our club and players. I am sure that it will be a tough and difficult game," Mumbru began in the press conference.

The Spanish coach did not want to hear anything about big goals in the EuroLeague yet.

"The first thing we have to think about is Baskonia, nothing else. We have to be prepared to be competitive. We have to be at a good level at home.

Our ambition is always the maximum, but the process is important. We can't think about the EuroLeague playoffs now. Next month or in two months we will see where we are, where we can get to, and for what things we can fight for," he analyzed.

Mumbru will have to manage a deep roster in a really demanding season.

"The idea is to have a stacked team. We have 15 players, including Martin Hermansson and Millan Jimenez, who are injured now. Depending on how the week goes and which players are worse or better, we will make the decision to rule them out, but no player should be at ease. If it can be decided 40 minutes earlier, we will do it with 45 minutes to go," he explained.

One of the key pieces for Valencia Basket will be Bojan Dubljevic. The captain is ready to perform at his best and help the team.

"I spoke with Dubi, he is a great player. He is very focused on having a good year, on helping the team, and on doing the things that are needed every day to be better as a team and individually," Alex Mumbru concluded.

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