Real Madrid will have the honor of hosting the opening match of EuroBasket 2029, which will take place in Spain. This marks a major milestone not only for Spanish basketball but also for the club itself. While Sergio Llull recently announced his retirement and will not feature among the team’s captains, the spotlight now turns to the Santiago Bernabéu, which is set to host the tournament’s inaugural game.

In doing so, Real Madrid has already made history by securing the venue for the first game of a tournament still four years away. The news has drawn reactions from across the basketball world, including legendary Spanish player Pau Gasol, who offered his support and excitement for the event during the launch of his Pau Gasol Academy in Barcelona.

"It's fantastic news," Gasol said. "Whenever we can host major sporting events, it’s a huge positive for the country. It will be a one-of-a-kind experience. From the player’s perspective, it’s fun and different. I’m curious to see how they’ll adapt the venue so fans can fully enjoy a basketball game, but overall, it’s great."

Gasol also compared the Bernabéu to the Dallas Cowboys' stadium — a venue where he once played and which seats around 80,000 people. For a former Barcelona icon like Pau to recognize the grandeur of Real Madrid's home ground underscores just how impactful this event could be, not only for Spanish basketball, but for the broader international stage.

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