Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich teams to play in Dubai

Dubai: European basketball is coming to Dubai on a scale never seen before. When the new EuroLeague season tips off on September 30, the Coca-Cola Arena will welcome some of the biggest names in the sport — including Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich — as Dubai Basketball make their long-awaited debut in the continent’s premier competition.

For head coach Jurica Golemac, it marks both a proud moment and a formidable challenge. His team, still only in its second full season together, will face Europe’s most storied clubs in what promises to be the most demanding campaign in their history.

Building a squad for Europe

Golemac spent the summer carefully assembling a 16-man roster to compete across two fronts — the EuroLeague and the ABA League. Among the standout additions is McKinley Wright IV, the reigning ABA League MVP, who joins from a finalist run last season.

“We’ve worked on this team since the beginning of the year, and we’re extremely happy with the players we brought,” Golemac said. “It was important to sign guys who can quickly become a team. It will be challenging, but we added hungry players with strong character, and I’m very optimistic about the season ahead.”

Double the workload

The step up in competition will also be a step up in intensity. Last season, Dubai Basketball played roughly 40 games. This year, the number could double if they reach the playoffs and finals.

“The biggest challenge is how to manage travelling, practices, and recoveries,” Golemac admitted. “With 20 EuroLeague teams, finding time to practice and analyse will be key. Nobody has done this before, so we are pioneers. It won’t be easy, but we’ll enjoy the work and stay focused.”

That challenge is compounded by the absence of eight players currently representing their countries at EuroBasket and the AmeriCup. While their delayed arrival is not ideal, the coach insists it highlights the calibre of the roster. “As staff, of course we’d prefer to have the full group from day one. But having so many internationals shows the level of our roster.”

A city on the basketball map

For Wright, the move to Dubai was as much about the city as the team. The American guard said he was struck by the facilities and atmosphere when he played in Dubai last year, and that family life off the court played a big role in his decision. “It was the perfect decision for me,” he said on arrival this week.

With EuroLeague games now confirmed for the Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai itself stands to benefit from a wave of global attention. The competition’s arrival represents another milestone in the city’s growing sports portfolio, joining golf, tennis, cricket, and UFC as fixtures on the international calendar.

Fans as the difference-maker

Golemac believes the backing of supporters will be crucial as Dubai Basketball line up against European heavyweights. “Our mission is to fight like there’s no tomorrow. Fans can expect us to be physical, to compete for the city, the club, and for them. Like last year, we want them to be our sixth player. With their energy, I know it will be even tougher for any team to beat us at home.”

Season tickets go on sale on August 25, giving fans the chance to witness the biggest basketball season ever staged in the UAE — and to see European giants test themselves on Dubai’s hardwood.