Winners' Cup 1999 Final: Valencia accuse Benetton of pressure
In 1999, the Cup Winners’ Cup final was held in Zaragoza, where in a match just a few points behind, Valencia, always in tow, could not beat Benetton Treviso (64-60)
Quarterfinals Buducnost - Toffee Aris Thessaloniki - Pivovarna Lasko Valencia Basket - Joventut Benetton - Partizan
Semi-finals Benetton - Buducnost Valencia Basket - Aris Thessaloniki
Despite playing “at home”, Pamesa Valencia felt the pressure of their first European final and ended up succumbing to Benetton’s biggest challenge. The Valencians played with complexes for much of the game, and only with eight minutes remaining, 18 points behind (54-36), they decided to break free and play at their usual level. It was then when they started a spectacular comeback that almost gave them the victory, although they lacked to finish off in the final moments. In the Benetton especially highlighted the U.S. escort Henry Williams (top scorer and MVP of the final), the Argentine power forward Marcelo Nicola and Spanish point guard Thomas Jofresa (two players the latter had left the ACB League through the back door). The youngest of the Jofresa’s gave great fluency to his team’s game when he entered the court to replace the starting point guard Bonora.
Benetton 64 *Bonora - 4p, 2r *Williams - 17p, 2a *Pittis - 6p, 5r *Nicola - 14p, 9r *Rebraca - 6p, 5r T.Jofresa - 10p, 1br Sekunda - 0p Marconato - 7p, 4r
Valencia Basket 60 *Rodilla - 14p, 3r *Luengo - 3p, 1a *Álvarez - 3p, 2r *Hopkins - 13p, 9r *Sellers - 17p, 10r Albert - 0p Maluenda - 10p, 2br