Pedro Martínez: 'We have the peace of mind of having prepared well'

Valencia Basket coach Pedro Martínez is projecting calm ahead of the Spanish League finals, stressing that the team has done "very good work" throughout the season to reach this stage. Valencia Basket is set to face FC Barcelona in the championship series, which tips off Thursday at the Roig Arena in Valencia.

"We have done very good work throughout the year to be competitive now. The work has been very good all year, and we don't have the guarantee of winning, but we do have the peace of mind of having prepared well. We also have excitement, desire, and ambition. It will be a series of maximum difficulty for both," Martínez stated at the final's presentation.

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We have done very good work throughout the year to be competitive now. The work has been very good all year, and we don't have the guarantee of winning, but we do have the peace of mind of having prepared well. We also have excitement, desire, and ambition. It will be a series of maximum difficulty for both.

Martínez highlighted the critical importance of the opening game, noting the team's intense focus. "Right now, we are very focused on the first game, on doing a good job, and we know that the Barça coach is a master at preparing games and putting opponents in difficulty, so we have uncertainty about how the game will unfold."

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Right now, we are very focused on the first game, on doing a good job, and we know that the Barça coach is a master at preparing games and putting opponents in difficulty, so we have uncertainty about how the game will unfold.

Valencia Basket holds the home-court advantage, having finished the regular season ahead of Barcelona. However, Martínez downplayed its significance. "If you don't play well at home, the home court won't give you anything. They have very experienced players; we have less experience, but we have won on very difficult courts. It's relative."

The coach also commented on the palpable excitement in Valencia, attributing it to the team's strong performance in the EuroLeague and their engaging style of play. He believes the inauguration of a top-tier European arena has also boosted interest in basketball, expressing hope for continued momentum.

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If you don't play well at home, the home court won't give you anything. They have very experienced players; we have less experience, but we have won on very difficult courts. It's relative.