Campazzo: “We are very eager to bring the Copa back to Madrid”
“It’s going to be a very tough final between the two teams that have shown the best basketball,” he added during the final’s presentation event.
Facundo Campazzo represented Real Madrid at the press conference presenting the Copa del Rey final in Valencia (7:00 pm CEST; Dazn). The Argentine point guard spoke about this evening's game at the Roig Arena: “It’s going to be a very tough final. I believe the two teams that have shown the best basketball so far, both collectively and individually, are here, and I expect a challenging match. The team that best sets the game’s rhythm, controls the smallest details like rebounding, individual defenses, and so on, will have the best chance to win. We've worked very hard to reach this game, and we will try to do our best, set our pace, and play the best basketball we can.”
How are you approaching the final?
“We are very eager to win the Copa again and bring it back to Madrid. This is a completely new team, and the objectives are always to win as many titles as possible, and this is no exception. We will try to play the best match we can, technically, tactically, and with intensity. It’s a final, and it’s 50-50 for both teams, so we must be ready because Baskonia has a lot of offensive power. This forces us to stay focused both physically and mentally, which will be a key factor.”
The semifinal comeback
“The belief we had to win is what makes both teams dangerous. Matches last 40 minutes, and there’s no time for lapses in concentration because a team like Baskonia capitalizes on those mistakes. After putting in such a great effort yesterday, the key point will also be trying to maintain our energy as much as possible.”
Overall tournament performance
“We’ve seen a competitive Madrid. In the first match against Unicaja, we played great basketball, and in the second, against Valencia Basket, it wasn’t our best defensively. We were very brave in those crucial minutes. It was very tough, but we kept playing, staying aggressive, and in the Copa, where losing means going home, those details of being brave, not giving up, and playing well make the difference. We expect a completely different game today but with the same mindset and the same elements of play we showed in the first game.”
Mentality
“The mental aspect, the mindset, is 70-80% of these tournaments. Obviously, you have to play good basketball, adapt to tactics, and follow the rules, but when you’re united with your teammates in both good and bad moments, the mental side plays a very important role. We need to start the game well, maintain that level, try to set our rhythm, and stay calm during their runs because that will be one of the keys to the game.”
What happened during the last play against Valencia Basket?
“If we play ten games with those characteristics—18 seconds left and 5 points down—we’d lose 8. Winning those types of games is very difficult, but in crucial moments, Hezonja was very accurate and brave in taking on that responsibility and those tough shots. We know he’s capable of doing that. In the last play, we were going to try to foul immediately and prevent good free-throw shooters from getting the ball. In the end, Badio slipped past me, and Hezonja was there. Abalde passed it to me, I tried to take the shot, but I couldn’t because Badio defended well, and Abalde passed it to Hezonja. That attack just flowed naturally. Hezonja took the shot he needed to take at that moment, and it went in because of his ability. Then, we have to highlight Deck’s defense in the final play against a rival who was unstoppable. He had the courage to defend one-on-one and close out the defense.”
What value does Llull’s experience and veteran presence bring to these games?
“A lot. Having a player of such tremendous caliber, who is so representative of the club—he’s played here for about 20 years, won so many Copas, and been in this situation so many times—is gold. It only adds to the team. On top of that, he’s playing and leading at a very high level. He shows us the way without even speaking, through his actions on the court, his defensive commitment, and his behavior off the court. It’s a way for the rest of us to see and learn. We enjoy and learn a lot from his leadership, and once you wear this jersey, you feel the responsibility and pressure it entails. Having him makes the work much easier.”