Pedro Martínez and Xavi Pascual Reunite in Abu Dhabi With Roles Reversed

In June, Pedro Martínez won the ACB title with Valencia Basket after defeating Xavi Pascual's Barcelona 3-1. Three months later they meet again in Abu Dhabi with the benches switched: Martínez now coaches Real Madrid and Pascual coaches Dubai. It's the second semifinal of the inaugural EuroLeague SuperCup and by far the most attractive matchup of the tournament for Spanish fans.

Dubai, the summer's hottest team

No European team has made more noise in the transfer market. Six signings after closing their continental debut at 19-19 — eleventh in the EuroLeague — and with the ABA League title in their pocket, won with a dominant 28-5 record.

With Pascual came Toko Shengelia, Davion Mintz, Jaron Blossomgame, Elie Okobo, and Mamadi Diakité, from Baskonia. And at the last minute, Thomas Walkup from Olympiacos, for a fee that according to several reports exceeds $2.5 million.

That last move deserves clarification. Walkup had one more year on his contract and Piraeus had rejected an offer of $1.1 million a month earlier to release him, in a standoff that ended with the EuroLeague opening disciplinary proceedings against the Emirati club. He ultimately signed for three seasons.

Dzanan Musa, Dwayne Bacon, Mfiondu Kabengele, McKinley Wright IV, and Filip Petrusev remain. And the team is captained by Klemen Prepelic, a former Real Madrid player.

Madrid, official debut of the new era

For the white team it's the first official game with Pedro Martínez on the bench and the first opportunity to win a title in this new stage.

The summer brought two significant departures: Mario Hezonja, heading to the NBA, and Eli John Ndiaye, loaned to Joventut due to an accumulation of big men. On the other side, Damian Jones arrived, who already debuted in the Costa del Sol Tournament, and this week the signing of Nick Smith Jr. was completed, coming from the Lakers.

Preseason ended well. Madrid successfully defended the Costa del Sol title with a dominant 74-113 victory over Unicaja at the Carpena, with Theo Maledon and Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot standing out. Earlier they had lost to Breogán in Pontevedra.

The team arrived in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, is staying at the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, and already trained Thursday at the Etihad Arena with tactical work and five-on-five drills.

What's at stake

The winner will play in Saturday's final against the winner of the Olympiacos-Fenerbahce matchup, in the first title of the European season. The loser will play for third place.