FCBARCELONA.CAT

10.05.2010 22:16

Celebrations in the Palau

Anna Segura

The Palau was packed to welcome home the 2010 Euroleague champions. The players enjoyed the party to the full and offered the victory to the fans, even letting some of them touch the trophy.

The champions took some time to get back, but once they were back home in the Palau Blaugrana, Regal Barça have been given a heroes’ welcome after being crowned the best team in European basketball.

The fans were entertained by Lax’n Busto, Els Amics de les Arts, Rauxa and Miquel Abras in the build-up, as well as the FCB cheerleaders del Barça, and finally at 20.37, the big moment arrived.

Lights and action

The Palau lights were dimmed and the Palau speaker and Barça TV presenter, Aleix Santacana, prepared the crowd. The 12 members of the squad came out one by one, each wearing a shirt that said “Euroleague Champions, Paris 2010”. Many of them added Barça scarves and banners to their gear. The coaching staff were also recognised for their part and were also got huge cheers from the Palau faithful.

The trophy appears

While the players filed out, captain Roger Grimau and head coach Xavi Pascual watched the events unfold on Barça TV. Then they were given the honour of taking the Euroleague trophy onto the Palau court, and along with that, they got the biggest cheer of the night.

Tina Turner’s ‘Simply The Best’ was the song that welcomed Grimau and Pascual, followed by the typical tune for occasions like this, Queen’s classic anthem ‘We are the Champions’.

Speeches and lap of honour

It was then time for the speeches, which mixed good humour with emotions. Everybody was given a moment with the microphone to dedicate the win to the fans. Once that was over, it was time for a lap of honour and the chance for the fans to get to touch the coveted trophy.