these are exciting days in the home of Sikma. On Friday, Alba Berlin’s unofficial captain Luke Sikma was named the most valuable player (MVP) of the current Eurocup season. 24 hours later, his father, Jack, 63 years old, and the 1979 NBA Champion with the Seattle Supersonics, in the center, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame, the hall of fame of the U.S. basketball. That father and son two receive such awards, is an almost unique achievement, especially in such a concise chronological order. At least be an MVP title comes from Luke Sikma at the moment but not really located. Firstly, because of the 29-year-old Albanian professional is not his individual performance in the foreground. But mainly because of the Eurocup season is not yet even to the end.

On Tuesday (20.30 clock, live at Magenta sport) starts Alba with an away game against Valencia in the final series to the second most important European club competition. In a maximum of three duels game two will take place on Friday in Berlin, the possible decision on the following Monday in Valencia – the Berlin is not only the second international title after winning the Korac Cup in 1995, but also a starting place for the Euroleague in the next season.

For Sikma is the final prelude to a return home. From 2015 to 2017, the U.S.-Americans at the Valencia Club Basket under the contract. “For us it is very special that we are in the final,” says Sikma, because it had expected before the start of the season nobody. “It goes against my old team, it makes for me personally is even more special.”

While the Spaniards now have a different coach, the squad of eight former team-mate of Sikma but still. “I stand with some guys still in contact and have outside of basketball a couple of good friends in Valencia,” said Sikma, who was welcomed upon his arrival at the airport and at the completion of training in “La Fonteta” said hall is very positive. “I am glad that old friends again, but sporty and a lot is at stake.”

Valencia is easily favors

In his almost two years in the case of Alba has Sikma with the Team four out of five possible finals, a title, the Berlin have not won yet. Last Alba, with a flu-weakened Sikma lost, seven weeks ago, the German Cup final in Bamberg with the last throw. The final three are likely to affect the team mentally, were in less than 14 months is negative, you don’t believe Sikma and draws a Parallel with his time at the Spanish Mediterranean coast. “With Valencia we have in 2017, the Cup and the Eurocup Finale of lost and then the championship won,” says Sikma. “Hopefully all good things are for us now, four.”

in 2017, it was the first title ever for Valencia in the Spanish ACB League and a bit of a surprise coup against the favorites Real Madrid. With Alba Sikma is again in the outsider role, although not as clear as it was then. Valencia, with three titles, a record winner in the, founded in 2002, the Eurocup, and has won internationally since November, 14 games in a row. In 2010, both Teams met already once in the final of the Eurocups, then Alba clearly lost.

the table fifth the ACB could be the Berlin under-estimated, is, nevertheless, unlikely. With Malaga and Andorra, the Berlin off on the way to the final two Teams from the ACB, and Sikma as well as coaching legend Aito Garcia Reneses in Spain, of course, well known. “I can give to some players certainly are a few tips,” says Sikma. “But we should focus on us and our Basketball play.”

Sikma is Alba’s largest constant

As in the finals against Bayern last season, and Bamberg, in these different philosophies are also in the duels with Valencia. While Alba’s puts a young Team in a fast ball gains and counter-attacks, try the Spaniard, to come up with more patience for success. “You have a very good Team with three experienced players at every Position,” said Reneses on the opponent. “We need to maintain our rhythm and I would be glad if we could keep up with Valencia.”

Together with playmaker Peyton Siva comes to the task, especially Sikma, to make the pace and organize the Team. Power Forwards are traditionally, although players interact a lot in the basket near the Ball, otherwise not very often to hold in their hands, Sikma interpreted this role, however, is very modern. His biggest trump card is its versatility. He scores consistently, brings the third-most Rebounds in the contest, with the Assists on the place of eleven, at the Steals, he is Sixth. Sikma stands out in any category, but all at a high level and in a season with lots of injuries once again the largest constant in the case of Alba Berlin.

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On Tuesday, may adjust Sikma on a friendly welcome, then it could be for Berlin, but uncomfortable. “It is extremely loud,” says Sikma, who knows the hall in Valencia from his time in Tenerife as a guest player. In this Eurocup season, Valencia have won all ten home games, Sikma is still confident. “This is a great Basketball atmosphere, and is going to be fun.”