By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@Eurohoops.net
In Eurohoops we haven’t hidden the soft spot that we have for Milos Teodosic, a player who knows how to “speak” to the ball and seduces it as few do! His case is something unique in the modern era European basketball.
This is the player who was a member of the All tournament team in two consecutive world championships. At the age of 28, Teodosic hasn’t won the Euroleague yet, although he has played already in five Final Four, losing two finals.
His skills are undeniable, but in many critical moments, he seemed to lack the clear mind and didn’t take the right decisions. He didn’t manage properly these moments, which could help his team take the best from him.
Has he matured? His achievements during World Cup in Spain in autumn and his great performance as CSKA player so far, show that Teodosic has embarked on the right path. But we have to make patience. Moreover, Teodosic himself, speaking on Eurohoops, after CSKA’ s defeat from Maccabi during first semifinal in Milan ‘s final four, had not included himself in top 5 guards of Euroleague !!!
Today it’s his birthday and we talked to him, as he is having his more mature season so far, leading CSKA Moscow, as usual, to the goal of the Final Four. However, this is where things are usually not working for him, but read what he had to say and you will be surprised.
Really, Milos do you agree that this years’ CSKA looks more balanced and more coherent as a team?
“Yes, I agree. The roles are clearer than last season, everyone feel useful and happy. Coach Itoudis is the key factor of all this, because he gives us freedom and he manages productively our talent combined with what everyone has to offer to the team.”
You are the absolute favorite to travel to Madrid. The successive failures of previous years will help you to appear more mature and determined or is there the threat of losing your mind once again?
“Your question is very good. Honestly, I do not know how to answer you. Probably the best is to wait when the time comes. I believe and I think that we’re going to the Final Four and we’re now more mature, more experienced. However I cannot predict what will happen”.
When you get there, it will not only be a matter of play, but also a matter of psychology and mind?
“Of course the spiritual part will be major factor. We have to be strong in mind and perfectly focused. It’ necessary to stay focus on our goal during the matches, and we must not have anything else in our minds.”
Now it’s time for you. You are one of the most gifted players in Euroleague, probably the one with the most talent and instinct. The greatest European players who have made history in Euroleague, reached to their top form from the age of 27 to 33. Your time is now?
“Statistically speaking? I hope so and I wish what you say to become reality! I do not like to talk about myself. If I manage tο make something big, let’s show it into the court”.
When you remember the four years you spent with Olympiakos, what do you think about them?
“I feel that I did not finish the job I had to do. All those goals I signed for, coming to Olympiakos. I was very young with no experience, just 20 years old. I was sick when I played my first Euroleague final in Paris.”
“The truth is that I feel very bad, when I think about it. For whatever reason I didn’ t achieve what I dreamed and wanted to Piraeus. When you spend four years in a team, you become part of that team. You make a lot of friends and you have memories you follow you for the rest of your career.”
During the World Cup 2014, we watched the best ever Milos, or do you have an ever better version of you to present?
“We will see, during next challenge, when I will have more experience (laughs)! I think there is a better Milos, but it doesn’t matter what you believe, but what happens on the court”.