The champions return to defend their title

The Liga Endesa is just around the corner and Xavi Pascual’s newly rejuvenated Barça Regal are ready to defend their title. This Sunday (12.30, Esport3), Pascual’s men face the huge challenge of reclaiming the Endesa League crown they won last year in the unforgettable final against Real Madrid.

The magic returns to the Palau

Barça Regal have a lot of new faces this season, the project combines the talent and daring of the young players with the experience and quality of the men that have defended the Barça strip for years. Men like Alex Abrines, Nathan Jawai, Marko Todorovic and Ante Tomic, none of whom are older than 25, will experience their first minutes of competitive play at the Palau. They share the dressing room with European basketball legends like Navarro, Jasikevicius and Lorbek, among others, to make up an explosive side with a lot of potential. For those that love basketball, this Sunday’s match is a real luxury as Barça Regal begins a new season.

Without Navarro and Jasikevicius

Juan Carlos Navarro and Sarunas Jasikevicius will miss the first match of the Spanish League just as they missed the Endesa Super Cup. The captain is recovering from injury and the Lithuanian wasn’t named to the team by Pascual. The fact that these two veterans won’t feature in tomorrow’s game will allow the fans to see players like Jawa, Tomic and Todorovic on the court.

Blancos Rueda, the first rival

Pascual’s men will face off against Blancos de Rueda Valladolid, a team that was nearly demoted to the Liga LEB last season but was able to hang onto its Liga Endesa status in the final stretch of last year's season. Valladolid come into the match with many new faces as well. Of the team’s 13 players last year, only the ex-Azulgrana Nacho Martín remains. Valladolid have brought in players like Uros Tripkovic, the ex-Unicaja and FIACT Joventut Badalona man, and Jordi Grimau. Roberto González will lead the visiting team, this is his second season in the Liga Endesa.