By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
Nobody “likes” them but everybody remembers them! Jure Zdovc and Gaziantep are the ultimate party-poopers in the Turkish league. After the 65-63 win in the opening game against Efes Anadolu of Duda Ivkovic in his debut, the team from Southeastern Anatolia beat (70-66) also Fenerbahce in Istanbul, the the day of the trophy ceremony of the hosts for last season’s championship.
Eurohoops talked with the architecture of these triumphs, Jure Zdovc about those wins, the Turkish league and his ambitions. Everybody could think that Gaziantep would start the season with 0-2 record against the two powerhouses but the situation is totally different now. “Honestly I must confess that we were lucky. Both games were tight. Efes lost an easy lay up few seconds before the end and Fenerbahce missed a lot of open shots. I’m satisfied with our start but I’m not happy because of the injuries we have to face”.
Isn’t it a great success to beat during a week Duda Ivkovic and Zeljiko Obradovic? “I don’t care who the coach in the other side is. It was nice to beat them but we are still in the beginning”.
Gaziantep didn’t have during the summer as a target to be on top of the league, but these results may change their mind. The experienced Slovenian coach disagrees: “I will be more optimistic only when we will have full roster. It’s too early in the season and after 30 years in the basketball I have learnt that when you relax, the next day someone will punch your head to wake up”.
Can the success of Banvit and Dimitris Itoudis last season be a guide for him? “I don’t want to underestimate Banvit but they had three Turkish players with passport and last season this was a real advantage. This rule changed this season and of course I believe there will be a lot of surprises in the championship. Every team can lose by anyone”.
Does he think that the Turkish league is closer to the Spanish? “No! The Turkish league is too strong and I believe it’s better than Liga Endesa. In Spain the foreign players are average and it’s not only my opinion. Many coaches and players believe the same”.