Marcelinho Huertas says La Laguna Tenerife fully appreciates how difficult it is to consistently reach the Basketball Champions League Final Four as the veteran guard prepares for another appearance with the Spanish club.
“We know how difficult it is to be here, you have to be there mentally. It’s difficult for us to be here, everyone wants to beat us, and we have to be there every night,” Huertas said.
“We value everything we have achieved greatly, as a team, as a club, and for the island of Tenerife. We are proud of everything we have achieved these years and hopefully, we can extend our legacy with another title.”
At 42 years old, Huertas continues to lead one of the oldest and most experienced teams in European basketball under head coach Txus Vidorreta.
“Of course, we joke about age, we are a team with a great sense of humor. We are the oldest team in the world,” he said. “The atmosphere is fantastic, we’ve been together for a long time. It’s a big and old family.”
The Final Four also carries special meaning for Huertas because it takes place at Joventut Badalona’s arena, where he began his international career.
“I’m coming back here at Penya, where I started my international career, where I have many friends and incredible respect for this club,” Huertas said.
The player added that he expects an open competition after Joventut’s elimination before the Final Four.
“In this type of format, there is no clear favorite,” Huertas said. “The team that is more focused will have a slight advantage.”
Marcelinho Huertas: “We are the oldest team in the world”#BasketballCLhttps://t.co/j9nIT3HatW
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) May 6, 2026
