Βy Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Just before the start of the playoffs, Fenerbahce/ Ulker’s captain Emir Preldzic talks to Eurohoops about his dream: Lifting the Euroleague trophy! The team from Istanbul has a big challenge in the Top8 against the defending champions Maccabi Tel Aviv, but their time is now.
Read what Preldzic has to say about him team, his role, the locker rooms, Obradovic, TBL and the future of the Turkish national team.
– Are you excited about the playoffs series vs the Euroleague champions Maccabi? Fenerbahce never managed to win a Euroleague playoffs game so far, but now the millions of team’s fans are waiting from you guys to qualify to the F4?
“Of course it’s exciting. For me it’s the second time that I will be in the playoffs. The first time we didn’t succeed, we lost to Siena, but this time we have bigger chances. We got a way better team, we have more experience, we have a coach that everybody knows who he is and also we have great fans. For sure they are going to support us and I hope that they will be here with us in the first two games”.
– How difficult is for the team to overcome the tough loss of Ricky Hickman and go until the end of the road. Maybe it’s one more motive to win in order to dedicate the success to him?
“Yes, specially because now we are playing against his ex-team. With him things were going to be a little bit easier, because he knows them better than we do, he would had help us prepare better. We will play for him, he is a great guy, he is our friend and we are going to play also for him and try to qualify”.
– You have played under many coaches in your career. Tell me the main difference between them and coach Obradovic. What makes him extremely successful?
“Every coach I had since I arrived in Fenerbahce were great coaches. My first coach, Tanjevic, who brought me here, after him Spahja, coach Pianigiani and now Obradovic. They are all great. Every one had something good to give to the players. However for me to work under coach Obradovic was a dream which came true. I always wondered about him, I had heard many stories and how great he is. What’s really great about him is that in every practice you are improving your game. Somehow he is teaching you everyday many new things”.
– Can you predict the four teams to make it to the final four?
“Let’s say Real Madrid, Barcelona, us and CSKA”.
– The trio of Smith/Pargo/Randle owns the 50% of points/rbs/assists of the whole team! Do you believe that they key will be to slow down their game?
“There are twelve players in a team. In those kind of teams, sometimes any random player can step up. We need to prepare ourselves to play good five on five defense and good five on five offense. We don’t need to think only about those players. Of course, they are good, or even great players, but we have to prepare ourselves to play against all of them”.
– Do you think that TBL League is even more competitive than ACB and probably the best domestic league all around Europe at the moment?
“The think is that the league keeps improving every year. This is my eighth season and every year things are getting better and better. This season we have many teams that are really, really good. I haven’t played in Spain so I can’t compare the leagues, but I have heard stories from players who have been there and they say that TBL is now the best league they have been a part of. Maybe this year, TBL is the best in Europe”.
– Please tell me with what result in terms of titles and success you will be satisfied at the end of the season. The team has already lost the first chance in the Turkish Cup. Are you dreaming yourself sometimes lifting the Euroleague trophy at Madrid?
“Of course, that’s my dream! After the coach told me that I am the captain of team, I am dreaming about lifting up this trophy. Still, this is something far away. We have three games to win in order to get to the Final Four and as the coach said what we are thinking about is tomorrow’s game”.
– Your role seems a little bit different compared to the previous season. How difficult is it to adjust and be constantly productive around so many talented players?
“It’s different. Last year I was one of the main players, this year I am more like a role player, helping others. I am the captain and I have to try my best in the locker rooms, in practice and in games, to be a leader in some way some times by talking and some times with my play. I accepted this role, I think it fits me and I am old enough to have this kind of responsibility”.
– Pick for us the most funny teammate and the one he never stops talking at the locker rooms?
“Let’s say Semih Erden. He is always smiling, making others smile in the locker rooms. He is always positive. Even if we lose, he tried to make us smile and keep us positive”.
– You created a buzz with Turkish NT in the world championship. Can the team achieve something even bigger in the upcoming Eurobasket?
“Yes for sure, because Turkey has five or six of the best young players in Europe. With Cedi, with Kenan, Furkan and all the others. They are really, really good and I think that soon they will be some of the best players in Europe. I can’t say for sure in the upcoming Eurobasket, but in few years I think Turkey can win gold without any question”.