Joventut seeks to break curses in their debut as hosts

The Supercopa Endesa arrives in Badalona for the first time in its history, but Joventut carries a considerable weight: no host has ever conquered the tournament. Moreover, Penya has accumulated three failed attempts in the semifinals since the competition abandoned the single-match format, three consecutive eliminations that weigh on the pre-match atmosphere. This Saturday at 18:00 in the Palau Olímpic, the home team faces Baskonia, who arrive as the reigning Copa del Rey champions and with renewed aspirations after a summer of profound changes.

A Penya in reconstruction with seven new faces

Joventut approaches this competition in the midst of transformation. Dani Miret leads from the bench, and Ricky Rubio directs play on the court in a squad that has added seven players during the summer market. The return of Nico Laprovittola is the standout signing, a reinforcement aimed at restoring offensive stability to a team that needs to regain its competitive level.

The absence of Ante Tomic represents a significant loss that has left a considerable void in the interior game. This deficiency partly motivated the arrival of Eli John Ndiaye, loaned by Real Madrid just a week ago. The club is pursuing a title it has not won in forty years, having been a finalist three times between 1985 and 1987. Breaking that drought would be an important milestone for an institution looking to return to the forefront of Spanish basketball.

Baskonia, hungry for titles after their absence

On the opposing side is Baskonia, who conquered the Copa del Rey in Valencia with Trent Forrest as the tournament MVP. However, Forrest is no longer available; he left this summer for Turkish side Fenerbahce in search of new challenges. The other significant farewell was that of Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot, the top scorer of last season's Liga Endesa, who is now part of Real Madrid and shines in the Abu Dhabi SuperCup.

In return, the Vitorians have brought in six notable signings. Chris Duarte stands out as an offensive reference after scoring 22 points in the last friendly against Bilbao. AJ Lawson, a Canadian with NBA experience, is the most prominent signing and aims to provide defensive solidity and versatility in attack. The team travels without Alex Len due to physical discomfort, exacerbating a problem that has lingered all summer: the unresolved issues in the paint following Khalifa Diop's departure to the Cleveland Cavaliers. This shortcoming was already evident in the final of the Encesta Rias, where they finished a game without centers due to fouls, and it was a burden again in the Euskal Kopa.

They haven't played in the Supercopa since 2020 and are seeking a trophy they haven't won since their golden era, when they claimed four consecutive titles between 2005 and 2008. That hunger for glory is evident in their summer planning, although doubts in the paint could affect their performance in critical moments.

The recent precedent between both

The two teams recently met in the quarterfinals of the 2026 playoffs, with Joventut winning 1-2 in the series. The results were decisive: 85-71, 63-82, and 88-96. That precedent offers some hope to Penya, although the context is entirely different in a reduced-format competition where details weigh more than ever.

An atypical tournament without Real Madrid and with four debutants

The twenty-seventh edition of the Supercopa distributes the first official title of the season in Spain. Badalona debuts as a host in a tournament that presents two striking facts: Real Madrid, the most decorated club in the history of the competition, is absent for the first time in eighteen years. Additionally, all four coaches participating are debuting in this competition, creating a scenario of uncertainty and adaptation for everyone.

The other semifinal pits Valencia Basket against Barça on the same Saturday at 21:00, while the final is held on Sunday at 19:00. All matches are broadcast on DAZN, allowing fans to follow the development of a competition that promises to be exciting from the start. The expectations according to the ACB Bracket place Valencia Basket as the favorite with 40.5 percent of the votes, followed by Barça with 36.4 percent. Joventut receives 16.8 percent of the support, while Baskonia barely reaches 6.4 percent, reflecting a certain confidence that the favorites will dominate the tournament.

For Joventut, this is a golden opportunity to break with their historical curses and demonstrate that the summer reconstruction has been effective. For Baskonia, it is about confirming that the change in direction after the departure of their stars is real and that they can compete at the highest level. On Saturday at 18:00, the Palau Olímpic in Badalona hosts a match that could set the tone for the season for both teams.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Joventut busca romper maldiciones en su debut como anfitrión