- Representatives from the 16 teams that make up the Endesa Women's League have participated in the spectacular launch of the competition that kicks off on Friday 22 with the first match day. A week later, the first title of the season will be up for grabs when the Endesa Women's League Super Cup is played in Gran Canaria on 30 September and 1 October.
- Veterans including Alba Torrens or Silvia Domínguez, young stars such as Zoe Hernández or returns like Bea Sánchez and Iris Mbulito, shared their expectations, hopes and desires for the 2023/24 season.
- In attendance at the event was the president of the Higher Sports Council, Víctor Francos, Endesa CEO, José Bogas and the acting president of the Spanish Basketball Federation, José Miguel Sierra.
- The "La Sala" space at the Wizink Center, of which Endesa is a sustainable sponsor, was the location chosen for the presentation, that rounded off by a performance by singer-songwriter Paula Mattheus, paying testament to the relationship between sport and music promoted by Endesa.
The first players to take the stage were from the newly promoted teams, represented by Anne Senosiain and Gala Mestres. Celta Zorka playmaker Recalvi said: "Last year we formed a great group off the court and that influenced the way we played. Playing at home in the Final Four helped us get promoted." Baxi Ferrol forward, Gala Mestres, added that "our dedication and daily efforts will make the difference".
The next to take the floor were Belén Arrojo, once again the star of an ambitious Hozono Global Jairis: "our pre-season has gone well. We're looking forward to getting started and seeing the efforts the club has made." And one of the biggest stories of the season: Iris Mbulito's return to the competition for SPAR Gran Canaria: "I don't think there's any doubt that we believe it's going to be a great season. We are looking forward to it, we hope it goes as best as possible."
Lara González returns to the IDK Euskotren lineup. She asserted that "it is going to be an exciting year; I want to bring my experience from abroad to Donosti". Bea Sánchez also returns to Lugo, taking the opportunity to summarise their preseason where "we have played a lot of games. We're excited about getting started as soon as possible."
One player to have changed teams is Madrid local, Marta Hermida, who embarks upon her adventure at Kutxabank Araski: "We are really excited, eager to see how the team works in the competition and we are feeling good." Laia Moya attended the event on behalf of Embutidos Pajariel Bembibre from El Bierzo, saying that they face the season "with the goal of ensuring they stay up and then looking at the Cup or playoffs".
International star María Erauncetamurgil pointed out that Movistar Estudiantes "have the same goals as last year. Hopefully we can fulfil them with the support of the fans that will fill the Magariños", while Zoe Hernández, player for Cadí la Seu, asserted "we are a young, new team that is really looking forward to starting the season".
Two playmakers who were teammates last year came face to face on stage. Itziar Ariztimuño (Lointek Gernika) said that the goal was to "improve on what we achieved last year. We have a great team", while Sandra Ygueravide (Spar Girona) said that "it will be a different season to last year, our aim is to compete for titles again".
Then came the four best ranked teams from last season. Paula Ginzo will pull on the Barça CBS shirt for the first time "after a very good year. We have high expectations, but no pressure. We want the fans to keep coming to see us play." Mariona Ortiz, playmaker for Casademont Zaragoza, said that "we have set the bar very high. Our goal is to compete with the big teams."
Finally, two legends of the Endesa Women's League and Spanish women's basketball. Silvia Domínguez, a legend at Perfumerías Avenida, said that "this year, the Endesa Women's League is going to be very competitive, with high-quality additions to teams. The goal is to lift titles again in an increasingly complicated league." On behalf of the current league champion, Valencia Basket, Alba Torrens rounded off the event stating that "first of all, we want to get people excited again. Then, we have a mix of ambitious and modest goals. Every match counts, there is no easy path. We will focus on the day-in and day-out to compete for everything." Both players thanked Endesa for the support and commitment shown by the company since 2019, facilitating the consolidation and growth of the Endesa Women's League.
Huge institutional support
In attendance at the event to mark the start of the Endesa Women's League were major institutional figures, including president of the Higher Sports Council, Víctor Francos; Endesa CEO, José Bogas and the acting president of the Spanish Basketball Federation, José Miguel Sierra.
Víctor Francos asserted that "in the opinion of the Higher Sports Council, public-private collaboration is essential for sport, and without the help of companies like Endesa, these achievements would not be possible. I would like to thank the players for their efforts, because they are what make Spanish sport so prestigious. He rounded off by pointing out that "Spanish basketball will be headed by a female president from 2 October, not because she is a woman, but because of her qualifications. And that is something that the Spanish government appreciates."
In turn, Endesa CEO José Bogas stressed that "women's sport is experiencing a golden age, with basketball as the pioneer of Spanish sporting success. The future of the sport also seems to be guaranteed, with a quarry of medals this summer, including silver at the U19 World Cup. We are very happy that the incoming president will be a major figure from the world of basketball, Spain's second sport by number of fans and federation licences. This League boasts all the values we pursued when we decided to sponsor basketball. We must continue to work along these lines."
José Miguel Sierra, acting president of the FEB, added that "the attendance of the president of the Higher Sports Council pays testament to the support of the Council and institutions when it comes to women's basketball in Spain. We expect the league to put on a great show once again. The Endesa Women's League is an open competition, with more and more teams aspiring to winning titles. The start of the league comes after an exceptional summer, with the women's team having secured silver and four medals in the four training competitions played. A wonderful present and a promising future.”
About Endesa
Endesa is a leading electricity company in Spain and the second largest in Portugal. The company is also the second largest gas operator in the Spanish market. Endesa operates an end-to-end generation, distribution and marketing business. Through Endesa X it also offers value-added services aimed at the electrification of energy usage in homes, companies, industries and Public Administrations. It has also created a line of business. Endesa X Way is fully dedicated to electric mobility. Endesa is firmly committed to the United Nations SDGs and strongly supports the development of renewable energies through Enel Green Power España, the digitalisation of grids through e-distribución, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The Endesa Foundation is also active in CSR. Our workforce numbers about 9,260 employees. Endesa is a division of Enel, the largest electricity group in Europe.