BILBAO (Spain) - Surne Bilbao Basket big man Tryggvi Hlinason heads into Wednesday’s second leg of the FIBA Europe Cup Finals with belief intact, despite a 79-73 loss to PAOK BC in the opening tie.
The Icelandic international relishes the opportunity to turn it around, and celebrate winning the title in front of their own fans this time.
To win a back-to-back would be amazing, not only for us players but also for the fans, club and the city.
Last season, Bilbao triumphed in the Finals with the second leg played in Thessaloniki, Greece, before returning home as heroes.
However, they face a deficit after the first leg leg saw Patrick Beverley deliver a performance for the ages, posting 24 points and 7 rebounds to end Bilbao’s 15-game unbeaten run in the competition.
Even with a six-point deficit, Hlinason remains confident in his team’s chances.
They've beaten their Greek counterparts twice already this season, and know what must be done to win a second straight FIBA Europe Cup title - a feat no other team has done before.
"Our mindset will be the same as last game, it is a Final, and we will be ready to play hard," Hlinason said. “We knew it was going to be hard to play in Greece, and after a hard-fought game, going down 12, 14 points, we came with a deficit of six points, which is a good result."
That confidence is rooted in experience. Hlinason is one of five players who were part of last season’s title-winning squad - a campaign that featured numerous comebacks including the remarkable Semi-Finals win over JDA Bourgogne Dijon.
But this season is different. And, no team has ever won the FIBA Europe Cup title after losing the first leg of the Finals.
Minor adjustments will be made ahead of the home leg, but the room for error is thin.
"The key is going to be playing our game in offense like we did last game with slight changes, and then finish our defense better," Hlinason admitted.
"They have some great players, and we need to be able to stop their individual skill, but more than that, we must play hard in defense."
The deficit is far from insurmountable - and once again define Bilbao’s resilience and winning mentality will be tested, with a spot amongst the competition’s dynasties on the line.
Bilbao's home results this season
Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
Regular Season | Peristeri Betsson | 81-84 (-3) |
Regular Season | PUMPA Basket Brno | 115-100 (+15) |
Regular Season | Kutasi Basket | 117-54 (+63) |
Second Round | Sporting CP | 94-79 (+15) |
Second Round | PAOK BC | 95-73 (+22) |
Second Round | Prievidza BC | 93-51 (+42) |
Quarter-Finals | Aliaga Petkimspor | 85-60 (+25) |
Semi-Finals | Falco Vulcano Energia KC Szombathely | 95-88 (+7) |
Bilbao went 10-0 at home during their title-winning run last season, and have only been beaten once at Bilbao Arena in the current campaign - with an average winning margin of 23.6 points.
Seven will suffice on Wednesday.
"To win a back-to-back would be amazing, not only for us players but also for the fans, club and the city,” the Iceland international proclaimed.
"Especially now, doing it at home, I think it makes it even sweeter compared to last year. But we know it will be a hard game ahead of us, and we will need to give it our best."
Hlinason had 7 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and a block in last week's first leg, and could still have a vital role to play if Bilbao are to prevail - perhaps even as Finals MVP.
FIBA