22.07.2009 12:25
Preseason takes shape
Carles Cascante
Xavi Pascual’s side has almost all of its preseason plans ready. Following the medicals on August 21, Regal Barça will start preparing for 2009/10.
On August 21 and 22, most of the team apart from internationals Lakovic and Navarro –who will
be away at EuroBasket in Poland-, will start official training. The Medical Services will check on
everybody’s fitness, to make sure they are in the right condition for the 2009/10 campaign.
First week in Barcelona
During the first week, the players will be concentrated solely in
Barcelona. The Palau Blaugrana and Ciutat Esportiva will be the venues for sessions in the build-up
to, like last season, a game in Sant Julià de Vilatorta against Ricoh Manresa, the first fellow ACB
team they’ll be meeting. That’s on Sunday August 30 at 19.00.
Andorra next
Then it’s back to Barcelona, before a training camp in Andorra starting on September 3
and ending on the 9th. Like last season, Xavi Pascual’s side will play behind closed doors
against Bilbao Basket. That’s on Sunday September 6. The second week in Andorra will also
coincide with the EuroBasket.
ASVEL, big test
Training in Barcelona resumes on September 10, one day before another
exhibition match, against fellow Euroleague outfit ASVEL of France. That will be on September 11 at
a venue to be determined. Then it’s back to Barcelona from September 12 to 18.
Last stop, Montanyà
Then, also like last season, the squad will be off to Montanyà, Osona, where the final
touches will be put in place before competing for the Supercopa ACB, to be contested in the Canary
Islands on October 2 and 3. Regal Barça will fly south on October 1 after three days in Montanyà.
Official debut in Catalan League
Barça’s basketball team’s first official games will be played in late September. The
Lliga Catalana de Bàsquet is being held on September 26 and 27, with the semi finals taking place
on the 26th against the winners of the Lliga Catalana LEB and the hypothetical final will be
against the winner of the other semi, between DKV Joventut and Ricoh Manresa. However, the Catalan
Basketball Federation has yet to announce where the competition will be held.