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Valencia just recorded an away win over Real

The French press already describe this as an impossible mission for Nancy, especially after they started the championship 0-3. Valencia's head is probably too big to fit through the door after they beat the current European champion in an away match. They also beat Nancy twice in the Eurocup last season

If someone told Nancy that they'll start the season with three championship losses, they probably wouldn't have believed them. And would be right not to. They put together a good team this summer, brought Pietrus who plays for the national team, then Tucker, McCrea, Panko... but the results didn't follow. Their loss to Nanterre in the first match can be accepted to a degree, but losing the home match to Gravelines and an away match to Orleans can't. Those teams aren't unbeatable, but they seemed so to Nancy.

They definitely have every right to be worried. The first reason that can't be overlooked is their defensive game. Nanterre scored 91, Gravelines and Orleans 81 each. They did the same mistakes they made in the first round against Nanterre. They conceded 16 three-pointers out of 26 attempts, Orleans scored 11/21. Valencia won't have mercy in that segment, either, and some of the French press are already describing this as a mission impossible.

- Eurocup is a different dimension compared to ProA, and playing Valencia at the very beginning is definitely special, especially after they beat Real. Let's be up to the challenge! We've been fighting the entire last season so we could play matches like these, three league defeats won't crush our motivation - Alan Weisz tried to convince everyone.

Although, the conspiracy theorists showed up claiming that the most important match Nancy will be playing this week isn't the one against Valencia, but the one against Chalon. The others, on the other hand, claim that Weisz isn't a type of coach to dabble with math in situations like these.

- There's no other way against a team like Valencia but to rely on the defensive aggressiveness. My team lack stability, but we're working hard on fixing that. And if we have to lose to Valencia, we better do it showing our best face! If we can manage to impose defensive aggressiveness against Valencia, we can do it against weaker opponents. This is a test for me, really - Weisz concluded. The only one not currently at his disposal is Falker who's injured.

Valencia did a great job starting the championship. After the great pre-season, they had a unique chance to beat Real in an away match. And they did it. It was an extraordinary match where they were in the lead for the full 40 minutes. Everyone in the audience were thrilled, as was the coach Martinez:

- We played a fantastic match against an excellent team. We knew we were in good form, but to beat Real, you have to play the perfect 40 minutes, and we did.

The centers Dubljević and Hamilton were brilliant, scoring over half of Valencia's points. Both can play the paint, but also score from the back, which gives Valencia some new strength. Vives and Van Rossom are great directing the game, and Valencia are looking impressive right now. Today's match could be a bit more complicated, though, because they didn't have much time to get ready: 

- We played Real on Sunday, and we're playing in France today already. There wasn't much time, but we have to be ready - Martinez said.

Valencia beat Nancy easily last season, and nothing should be different this season, either. The guests have quality on their side, but Martinez is still careful:

- Nancy are really dangerous, a fast and athletic team. They've got experienced players, Pietrus, Panko and Tucker, and they can be really dangerous if you let them be.

Valencia definitely won't let it happen, and they definitely have a way to stop the three players mentioned. None of them would even make it to the rotation in Valencia. The guests will have a big advantage in the paint, with Dubljević and Hamilton dominating the rebounds. Nancy don't have a center who could match those two.

Nancy opened the season poorly and already have three defeats in the French championship. They are now to face a team that is much better than any of Nancy's previous opponents. Valencia displayed power through preseason matches and then on Sunday with a great win in Madrid over Real. Their form is great, the game looks impressive. Acquiring Hamilon for position 5 was a particularly good move. Dubljević and him destroyed Real and should do the same to Nancy because the French side have no players who can defend the two of them in the paint. Valencia 's defense is better now that Martinez is there and the offensive end was never a problem anyway. There is no team in Eurocup that looks better than them at the moment since they got rid of the problems is away games last year. I think this will be a one-sided win.