Spar Girona sporting director Pere Puig addressed the media to confirm that head coach Roberto Íñiguez retains the club’s full backing, despite a difficult start to the season marked by preliminary EuroLeague elimination, three domestic defeats, and a severe injury crisis.

Puig Reaffirms Faith in Roberto Íñiguez

Spar Girona opened the new campaign under a remodeled roster structure designed around players with deep competition knowledge and no WNBA commitments. However, early results proved challenging. The squad exited the EuroLeague in the preliminary qualifying round before dropping three matches in the Liga Femenina Endesa against Estudiantes, Azulmarino, and Jairis. Despite the rocky start and recent touchline frustrations voiced by the coach, Puig delivered an unequivocal vote of confidence.

"Roberto's ambition is vital to improve. The discourse was the same when we won the regular season and when we reached the Final Six. He is the ideal figure," Puig stated.

Puig added a message of resilience for the fanbase, acknowledging the slow start while praising supporters. "We haven't been good, we will be. But the fans have been a 10 at all times," he said.

Mounting Injuries Derail the Rotation

While the team secured its first victory upon entering the EuroCup Women group stage, the win came at a severe physical cost. In a matter of days, Laura Quevedo, Iyana Martín, Marta Garcia, and Madison Conner sustained injuries, depleting an already tested squad. The club moved quickly on the transfer market to stabilize the rotation, bringing in Michelle Ugonne, who has already joined training sessions under Íñiguez.

Puig ruled out any short-term player recoveries from the existing injury list, leaving the technical staff to manage a severely compressed roster in the interim.

The Roster Crunch and Cotonou Passport Complications

Integrating the newly signed Ugonne presents immediate logistical hurdles for the coaching staff. Puig confirmed that club administrators are working against the clock to activate her license. Because Ugonne holds a Cotonou passport, she will not count as a non-EU player in domestic Liga Femenina Endesa fixtures, simplifying domestic roster selection. However, EuroCup Women regulations classify Cotonou passport holders as non-European imports, forcing the club to leave one foreign player out of European matchday squads. Conner, Bulgak, and Ugonne will compete directly for those available European slots.

Addressing the broader market dynamics, Puig warned that roster stability is a thing of the past. "It will be normal for players to enter and leave squads; we must forget basketball as it was until now," Puig said. "Given the state of the market, we must get used to changes within the squad and nobody can be calm with the fact that the roster they start with is the one they will finish with."

Puig noted that he will no longer discuss contract lengths for players, emphasizing an era of constant movement where finishing a season with the same roster is increasingly unlikely.

Upcoming EuroCup and Domestic Fixtures

Spar Girona travels for its second EuroCup Women fixture on Thursday without Ugonne available. The club anticipates completing her registration in time for her to make her debut on Sunday at Fontajau against Euskotren in domestic league play.