ESP/GRE – Katsikaris aims for opening day upset of star-studded Caja Laboral

BILBAO (Copa del Rey) - It hasn’t taken long for ex-Valencia coach Fotis Katsikaris to cause a stir in Spain again.

The Greek decided to leave Aris Thessaloniki last month and return to the ACB to coach Bizkaia Bilbao Basket.

Katsikaris has guided the Basque club to some excellent wins in Spain and the Eurocup and this week, he is in the limelight as Bilbao are hosting the Copa del Rey.

The first hurdle for his team to clear, however, is last year’s winners.

They face Spanish giants Caja Laboral on Friday.

"The team (Bilbao) is very focused," he said.

"We've forgotten the last game (against Real Madrid) and are very focused on Caja Laboral, and that's a good sign because we're going to face a very tough team which has more experience than us in this tournament. They have six Copas (wins), and prominent players like (Tiago) Splitter, (Mirza) Teletovic and (Marcelo) Huertas.”

Soon after deciding to leave Aris Thessaloniki for Spain, he coached Bilbao at home against none other than Caja Laboral and Dusko Ivanovic’s team won that encounter 87-71.

Bilbao are going into this game, however, on the back of an 87-80 triumph at Real Madrid at the weekend.

"For them (Caja Laboral), this tournament is very important to evaluate their season,” he said.

“If they win the Copa, then Caja Laboral can say it's a good year. So they have pressure (to win).”

Bilbao are third bottom in the standings but are taking part since they are hosting the event.

In the Eurocup, they are having a much better season.

Bilbao are 3-0 in Group K of the Last 16.

FIBA