Tenerife captain Nico Richotti expects a tougher second season of Champions League basketball next season after the Liga Endesa side confirmed their participation for next season.
The surprise package in the Liga Endesa this season captured the inaugural Champions League crown in front of their home audience in April by downing Banvit in the final.
But the 30-year-old Richotti, who only saw a cameo role in the final expects a tougher prospect this term with bigger prize money of €1million up for grabs.
“Competition is going to be more intense than a year ago and the field even stronger, more powerful in general,” he said.
“But, at the same time, we have even more will and determination than for season 2016-17. That was an unbelievable year. We were making history in 2016-17. That was a unique season and now we are making history again. As Basketball Champions League winners, we’re going to defend our title with our souls.”
“It is fantastic to have Iberostar Tenerife back in the Basketball Champions League,” said Champions League CEO Patrick Comminos.
“Both on and off the court the club and its fans made a massive contribution to the success of our first year. They perfectly capture the inclusive spirit of a competition which represents basketball across the length and breadth of Europe from Aarhus in the North to Tenerife itself in the South, from Oostende in the West to Istanbul in the East.”
