FCBARCELONA.CAT

13.04.2010 21:14

Barça to meet Lakers on October 7

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Regal FC Barcelona will take on NBA giants Los Angeles Lakers in the Palau Sant Jordi on October 7, 2010 after the two clubs agreed to the tantalising encounter.

The NBA Europe Live tour presented by EA Sports has enabled the Blaugrana to meet the California-based outfit in a repeat of the meeting last season when they met in the United States. Barça will see this as a chance to prove themselves after narrowly missing out on victory in a 108-14 defeat. Juan Carlos Navarro starred that day, scoring no less than 34 points.

"It will be very special to play against Pau"

After scoring so many points last time out Navarro is looking forward to pitting his wits against the NBA champions and his good friend Pau Gasol once again. "It will be very special to play against Pau," he said. "We have met a couple of times in the United States, but to play here in front of our own fans will be great."

Gasol is also looking forward to the game. "I started out with FC Barcelona when I was 16 and I still have fond memories of my time there," he explained. "This game will be special for me too because I will be able to show my team-mates what a great city Barcelona is."

Bryant admiration

NBA star Kobe Bryant was also keen to reiterate his admiration for Barcelona as a team and as a city. "I could not hope for more then to go to Barcelona with the Lakes and to play against Barça as part of the NBA Europe Live tour," he commented. "The city of Barcelona is known everywhere for its love of sport and it is a privilege to play for the Lakers there in front of such great support."