Joventut secured home-court advantage for whole EuroCup playoffs / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com-Scanpix Credit ZUMAPRESS.com-Scanpix

Joventut de Badalona turned 92 years old on Wednesday. The Catalan team celebrated their birthday after another magical night at the Olimpic, clinching the 1st seed for the 7Days Eurocup Playoffs.

Free throws this season

77%13,5Points made:13,5Accuracy:76,8%Place in standings:9Record max:23Record min:3Most made FTs:Vladimir BrodzianskyTeamEuroCupStatisticsSchedule

"If we win four more games, we will win a title. It won't be easy, but this is our goal. It's been a while since we reached a final", said Joventut's head coach Carles Duran after a great win against Slask Wroclaw.

Simon Birgander was dominant in the paint, tying his career-high with 16 points. The Swedish center ended with 27 PIR.

"I could finally make some buckets. It's easier without wearing a mask on the face," admitted the youngster without hiding his satisfaction.

Badalona has returned to the European tournament thanks to Duran, who arrived in 2018 after an unexpected call while he was attending Aito's practices in Berlin.

The financial issues were solved, and the club found a way to rise from the ashes.

Joventut will finish the Eurocup Regular Season with the highest 12-4 record. Gran Canaria's loss at Bologna left them on the top of the standings, securing the home-court advantage for the whole playoffs.

Only three teams have won this season in Badalona: Madrid, Andorra, and Lenovo Tenerife. All in the ACB League. No one has done it in the EuroCup yet.

Statistics say it loud and clear. Joventut are the second-best team in assists and blocks, fourth in PIR, and ninth in points scored.

The Catalans have won all these 12 games in the EuroCup by a minimum of 8 points, including a 30-point victory against Dolomiti Energia Trento in the first round. Those include big victories against strong opponents such as Obradovic's Partizan NIS Belgrade or the French's league leader Boulogne Metropolitans 92.

The last time Joventut played in the EuroLeague, Ricky Rubio was there. Pau Ribas too. We need to move back to 2008. A lot of water has run under the bridge since then.

Joventut are now just four wins away from returning to the best European competition. Ratiopharm Ulm will be their first pitfall.

There are reasons to believe. Joventut are back.

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