Reporting from Berlin: Antonios Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
His thick and very long beard could not hide his wide smile. Luigi Datome is about to play in the first Final Four of his career, as his team, Fenerbahce aims to climb at the highest peak of Euroleague.
The Italian international definitely looked excited about being in Berlin when he talked to us about this upcoming experience. “There is something special here in the Final Four. I have always been a fan of Euroleague and it is unique to be here. I am just trying to enjoy it the most and, of course try to play my best basketball here”, he said to Eurohoops.
Fenerbahce is considered one of the favorites to win the Euroleague and definitely the ultimate favorite in the Laboral Kutxa. Does Datome share this opinion? “Some say that we are the favorites. They can say what they want but that should not affect us. And why is that? “It’s not the smartest thing we can think”, explains Fenerbahce’s forward. “We should not focus on who is a favorite or not. The favorite doesn’t win all he time. Also many underdogs have won the competition throughout the years. When the game begins there are no favorites and underdogs. It’s 0-0. And if you think that you are the favorite and you have the best players… it’s not really wise. You must think that we should play your game with perfect concetration”.
In the semi-final, Fenerbahce faces Laboral Kutxa. A quite dangerous team that showed its teeth in the playoffs by sweeping Panathinaikos rather easily. “We have to read the game well and find the the right points to strike against them. Be 100% focused on playing our basketball and not let them do what they want. For example, we should prohibit them from running the court.”. Is it as easy as it sounds? “No, it’s just easy to say that”, commented Datome. “What matters is to show our strength on court”.
The fans of Fenerbahce are going to dominate the seats of Mercedes Benz Arena and Luigi Datome is quite aware of this. “Yes, I know they are going to be many Fener fans here”, he said. “They are a LOT. They have helped us a lot in the playoffs and now… we want to make them proud”.