Valcea facing decisive game

The defeat in Győr rang the alert bell in Valcea. The Romanian champions are very much aware that another defeat this Saturday in Togliatti would endanger their objective: qualification for the semi-finals. Valcea are now second in the group, one point ahead of Lada with three games to go.

“We know this is a crucial game for us, as well as for the Russians. We have to rectify what we have done wrong in Győr to win in Togliatti. The semi-finals are still in our hands,” says Valcea’s backcourt player, Valeria Bese.

“In Győr it was one of the most terrible performances of our team in the last two years. We made too many mistakes and missed too many shots in 1on 1 situations with Pálinger. Now we have to gain at least one point in Russia. Otherwise, we will not entirely depend on our games, but we will be forced to keep an eye on others, also,” says coach Tadici.

Valcea have already beaten Lada Togliatti two weeks ago in Romania by 35-26, but the game in Russia will be decisive for both teams after Lada beating Nurnberg last weekend.

“There will be a lot of pressure on us. But I’m confident that we can win. Valcea always played crucial games excellently,” says Tadici.

Valcea will have to travel more than 10,000 km for the game against Lada Togliatti. First, they will travel by bus to Bucharest, 180 km from Rm. Valcea, than they will fly to Frankfurt. Samara will be the next stop for Valcea, just to finish their journey in Togliatti, 95 km away from Samara airport.

“I just hope that we will not be too tired after this long trip. And remember we have to make this trip back to Valcea as soon as possible to prepare for the game against Nurnberg next Friday,” concludes Valcea coach, Gheorghe Tadici.