The Unicaja auditorium was packed to remember the achievement of 2001, when the team from Málaga defeated Hemofarm Vrsac in Serbia. This triumph not only marked a milestone for the club but also represented the first European title for an Andalusian team. The event, moderated by Berni Rodríguez, featured former players such as Carlos Cabezas, Jean-Marc Jaumin, Mous Sonko, and Kenny Miller, alongside legendary coach Boza Maljkovic. Others like Paco Vázquez and Veljko Mrsic participated through video messages.
“"A team that does not respect its history has little future. For us, it is a cherished day, 25 years after a historic night, we laid the first stone of a path with its ups and downs, and which we continue now."
Maljkovic shared his vision for transforming Unicaja into a European benchmark, emphasizing the importance of hard work and talent, especially among young players. The Serbian coach revealed that his motivation was to win the last edition of the Korac Cup, a trophy he had already tried to conquer the previous year, in 2000, when the team lost in the final to Limoges CSP.
“"I wanted to do something to make Unicaja important. Before, Unicaja was not on the European basketball map. We worked hard, knowing that we didn't have big stars, but no one could steal our heart."
Players also shared their experiences. Jean-Marc Jaumin described the 2000 defeat as the worst day of his career, but the 2001 victory as the best, not only for him but for all the fans in Málaga. Carlos Cabezas, a youth academy player, recalled the "brutal" atmosphere of the Carpena, while Kenny Miller thanked the fans and coach Boza for the opportunity to play his best basketball in Málaga.
The Mayor of Málaga, Francisco de la Torre, closed the event, highlighting the historical value of the Korac Cup as a "before and after" for the club. He emphasized the decisive role of the protagonists in Unicaja's history and thanked president Antonio Jesús López Nieto and the club for organizing the emotional gathering. This Sunday, Carpena fans will have the opportunity to applaud the champions during halftime of the match between Unicaja and Valencia Basket.
