The Copa del Rey is a special tournament that brings together basketball fans from all over Spain, with thrilling “kill-kill” games and legendary moments that are etched in memory forever. However, there is one story that has become a curse – the host team’s inability to win the tournament. This curse has been going on for 22 years, and it could extend to 23 if Dreamland Gran Canaria fails to break it. The team will face Valencia Basket in the quarterfinals, and if they win, they will have to overcome tough semifinals and possibly face Unicaja or Tenerife in the final.
The Last Host to Win
The last host team to win the Copa del Rey was Baskonia in 2002. It was a remarkable season for the Basque team, and they cemented their legend with a thrilling 85-83 win over Barça in the final. Elmer Bennett’s decisive shot and Tomasevic’s MVP performance are still remembered today. However, since then, no host team has been able to replicate this success.
The closest a host team has come to breaking the curse in recent years was Real Madrid in 2021. They reached the final at the Wizink Center, but lost to a dominant Barcelona team. Despite the odds, Dreamland Gran Canaria’s coach, Jaka Lakovic, is confident that his team can break the curse. “We have confidence, to a game everything is possible,” he said. The team is physically and mentally prepared to enjoy the tournament and make a deep run.
A Challenge Ahead
The path to winning the Copa del Rey is arduous, and the host team will have to overcome significant challenges to succeed. They will have to neutralize Valencia’s strengths and then face tough semifinals against top teams. However, with the right mindset and preparation, anything is possible. As Jaka Lakovic said, “We are physically and mentally prepared to enjoy the tournament.” The question is, can they break the curse and bring the Copa del Rey title to Gran Canaria? Only time will tell.