By Semih Tuna/ info@eurohoops.net
The “MVP of April” in EuroLeague has been preparing for the Final Four challenge with his attention set on achieving what he and Fenerbahce couldn’t in the previous two tournaments: Adding the first continental title to the club’s trophy case.
One of the factors that make feel Bogdan Bogdanovic so sure of his team’s capabilities have to do with the guy at the helm: Zeljko Obradovic.
“He’s the most experienced coach in EuroLeague,” he told Eurohoops. “Maybe that brings more pressure on the club to succeed. For sure many opponents are scared of him. But he always finds motivation and makes us be really focused in the game.”
Fener faces a familiar opponent in the semifinal. They have played against Real Madrid five times in the last two seasons, including the 2016 playoff series where the Turkish squad advanced to the Final Four after a sweep.
But this version of the “Blancos” has nothing to do with the one of last year.
“They’ve changed many things. Sergio Llull wasn’t the leader last year. For sure this season he’s the guy there. With Luka Doncic and Rudy Fernandez they are the secondary creators. They brought some addition. Thompkins didn’t play last year a lot, hunter randolph. experienced players that brought them on another level as a team. They are a tough opponent.”
The Serbian guard experiences the Final Four festitivies for the third time in his career. And he trully cherises it.
“It’s unbelievable. Everybody is chasing that goal through the year. Now when you come here, you feel that energy flowing around.”