Two years ago, the situation of Joventut de Badalona was terribly desperate. Fans came to consider putting 1,500 euros, or what each could, out of his pocket to reach a guarantee of 120% and unlock a saving grant of 900,000 euros . Grifols, then, came to the rescue. The multinational of blood products based in Catalonia and chaired by Víctor Grífols assumed almost 3.7 million euros of the capital increase of the entity, through the Dutch firm Scranton Enterprises, which, in practice, became its largest shareholder .

“I can't do more than value Scranton's entry very positively. He trusted our project and is living up to his word. Its objectives are linked to the values ​​of Penya ", values ​​the president of Joventut, Juanan Morales . As for the search for more income, naming rights are a very important asset: Probitas, the foundation sponsored by Grifols, is only present on the shirt. “We are actively seeking a primary sponsor to name the team. The situation is not easy now, but it is also true that the entry of this shareholder gives us a little more oxygen, "says the leader.

Joventut has put together a very competitive squad. He has lost last season's ACB top scorer, Klemen Prepelic, but has added great names, including two former Barcelona players: Pau Ribas and Ante Tomic . “We are talking about a starting five in a team that had options to win the Euroleague, like Barça. It gives us a plus of quality and experience, but what excites me most is seeing that we currently have seven players from the squad. That is very important, taking into account the type of club we want to be, "says Morales.

The value of the quarry

Pau Ribas and Ferran Bassas also have that homemade player stamp that is so highly valued at Penya. In the case of the first, the president of Joventut is convinced that he will be more than well received by the fans, despite his time at Barça. «I am delighted that those who have passed through here want to return. This shows that, in addition to teaching them to play, we leave them a good memory. With Pau, I don't think there is any problem. On the contrary, I think that our people are especially excited about their return. He has always spoken very fondly of Joventut. When he can return to the wards, surely one of the great ovations will be for him, "he reiterates.

The team signed a great final phase of the ACB that, despite being atypical, Morales values ​​very positively. “We really enjoyed ourselves. It was a novel format and I think it was an organizational success on the part of the ACB. We presented the youngest team, with many people from the quarry, and we were able to compete with Barça and beat Baskonia who, in the end, became champion. We went home with a good taste in our mouths, not only because of how the team played, but also because of the people it played with. It is a source of pride for us », highlights the president of Joventut, who, despite the budgetary differences, considers it an obligation to go out for all against Barça-level monsters or Real Madrid.

"Differences in abysmal resources"

"It is evident that the differences in economic resources are abysmal, also with Valencia, Baskonia or Unicaja , but we have our way of doing things, together with a team that, if I may be allowed to express myself, is worth more than what cost. A priori the potential is greater, but the games must be played and I do not think we should stop being ambitious due to the difference in resources, "he says.

The Euroleague, of course, is a dream. But not an impossible one. “The only open door right now to be able to play it is to win the Eurocup. Obviously, I would like it very much. In the short term, it is possible, but it is very difficult, we have to be realistic. We are the ones who are going to fight for it. There are many variables and not all of them are under our control. First, we are going to walk, and then we will see if we can run », he says.

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