FC Barcelona

Player to watch : Tornike Shengelia

The man who tormented FC Barcelona in the 2020 Liga ACB finals now wears… the Blaugrana jersey. Having arrived this summer from Virtus Bologna, Tornike Shengelia returns to Spain following a highly impressive spell at Baskonia. Already a two-time EuroCup (C2) winner, the Georgian is fresh from an outstanding EuroBasket XXL campaign as captain of his national team. 

The most recent MVP of the Serie A Finals arrives as an experienced leader. As well as impressing with his work ethic, the power forward possesses a rather ‘old-school’ style of play that is perfectly suited to modern basketball. As tough on the man as he is powerful, the player with over 200 EuroLeague (C1) appearances under his belt will have the chance to play for the title for the first time. A new challenge that promises to be particularly exciting to follow.

Playing style

Often cited in discussions of the greatest strategists of the modern EuroLeague era, Xavi Pascual was instrumental in securing the 2010 title. With one of Europe’s deepest frontcourts at his disposal (Shengelia, Hernangomez, Fall…), this is reflected in their highly aggressive 2-3 zone defence without the ball. Thanks to the reach of their big men, the Catalans are not afraid to step out quickly onto opposing guards, even if it means being beaten off the dribble.

And with the ball in hand, FC Barcelona relies on the execution of precise systems in the half-court. Between central pick-and-rolls and strong inside play, the Catalans rely on fluid ball movement to create good open shots. Hence the fact that this team boasts one of the very best three-point shooting percentages.

Club history

It was one year after the club’s founding that FC Barcelona’s basketball section played its first official matches in 1927. However, it was not until after the Spanish Civil War (1940) that the Blaugrana began to make their mark in Spain, as evidenced by their six Catalan championships and six Copa del Rey titles. Having established themselves on the Spanish scene, the Catalans were even among the first six teams to take part in the national championship in 1956. Three seasons later, they achieved the Liga-Copa double.

This stellar campaign gave way to the worst period in the club’s history. From the elite of Spanish basketball, FC Barcelona found themselves as outsiders in the race for the Catalan championship. First, in 1961, Enric Llaudet – then president – decided to disband the section before quickly backtracking. Then, in 1964, the federation suddenly reduced the number of places in the top flight and sent the Blaugranas down to the Segunda. That too did not last long, as they bounced back the very next year. The Catalans pressed on to reach their first European Cup final. The Catalans’ true return to the top flight came in 1978 following a 103-96 victory in El Clásico in the Copa del Rey final.

This title marked the start of a new era studded with trophies. From Juan Antonio San Epi in the early 1980s to Roberto Duenas in the late 1990s, FC Barcelona racked up trophies at every level. In Spain, the Catalans achieved the feat of winning three consecutive league titles on two occasions. All this was complemented by domestic cups and one Super Cup. But above all, this era brought the club its first European Cup in its history. In the wake of the trauma of 1984 in the European Champions Cup (C1) (a defeat in the final against Roma after leading by 14 points at half-time), Barça overcame Zalgiris Kaunas in the 1985 European Cup Winners’ Cup (C2) with a score of 77-73. Three more European titles followed in four finals… but still no EuroLeague (C1).

The new millennium began with two Cup-League doubles. With legends Šarūnas Jasikevičius and Juan Carlos Navarro under his command, Svetislav Pešić led FC Barcelona to its first EuroLeague (C1) title in 2003. The beginnings of a golden era under the guidance of Xavi Pascual. Promoted to head coach in 2008, the Catalan tactician secured successive qualifications for the final stages of FIBA’s premier competition. This continued until the club secured its second title in Paris in 2010, following a final they dominated from start to finish against Olympiacos (86-68). The Blaugranas then went on to win one title every season for the next four years.

This exceptional run of form in Europe came to an end in 2016, when Xavi Pascual left the club. In 2018, FC Barcelona even recorded their worst start to a season in 41 years. More recently, Šarūnas Jasikevičius’s tenure has brought a great deal of positivity to Catalonia, culminating in a EuroLeague (C1) final in 2021. While consistency remains, moments of brilliance are still few and far between. Returning to the club this summer, the legendary Xavi Pascual symbolises the Catalans’ determination to return to the top of the Old Continent.

Zoom : The dissolution

On 3 July 1961, Enric Llaudet – president of FC Barcelona – decided to disband the club’s basketball section. This came as a surprise to the other board members and the fans alike. Officially, the reason given was purely financial. 

However, the growing popularity of FC Barcelona Baloncesto prompted Enric Llaudet to reverse his decision one year after the announcement. This was partly thanks to the campaigning of the Blaugrana supporters.

The Number : 20

That is the number of wins FC Barcelona racked up during their 2009–10 EuroLeague season – with just two defeats, it is the best record of all time in the competition’s modern era.

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