Catalonia reappears with a match against Great Britain

ManresaThree years after their last match, the absolute Catalan team reappears with a clash against Great Britain at Nou Congost in Manresa (12.15 p.m., TV3). Jaume Ponsarnau will lead a squad with Pep Busquets, Guillem Vives, Aleix Font, Lluís Costa, Ian Platteeuw, Gerard Fernández, Adrià Domènech, Ramon Vilà, Jaume Lobo, Robert Cosialls and Isaac Nogués, who has just been proclaimed champion of the Liga Endesa with Valencia Basket.

“Being the Catalan coach is an illusion, a pride, and a responsibility. We will try to prepare the match in the best possible way with players who are very eager. We will try to highlight the Catalan basketball culture,” says Ponsarnau, who will share the bench with Gerard Encuentra, Jesús Ramírez, and Xavi Schelling (San Antonio Spurs). “I was very eager to be part of the list. I am very excited to represent Catalonia in a special match. People who have been trained in Catalan basketball have a unique seal. The objective is to greatly enjoy this experience,” assures Vives, who will serve as captain.

Manresa already hosted a Catalonia match 90 years ago. “This is the fifth time the Catalan team plays in Manresa. The first time was in 1936. This is a small city that lives basketball very intensely. The match must be a celebration and we hope people fill the Nou Congost,” explains Marc Aloy, mayor of Manresa. “We want the match to become the great celebration of Catalan basketball. The coaches and players have shown great predisposition, and that always helps,” acknowledges Ferran Aril, president of the Catalan Basketball Federation.Tickets can be purchased from 8 euros.