By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
An emblematic player of the Roca Team, in his 7th season at the club, Yakuba Ouattara grew up with Monaco, from the club’s debut in the French ProA to the heights of the Euroleague Final Four.
Captain and talisman of Sasa Obradovic‘s squad, Ouattara looks back on Monaco’s historic qualification for the Final Four, and all the emotions that intertwine. And a reunion with Olympiakos that is looming.
After qualifying for the Final Four, at the end of this match 5, emotions were flowing.
“I feel pride, a lot of pride. Validating our place among the four best teams in the Euroleague is something huge. We celebrated a lot with the supporters, it was great. It was the objective announced at the start of the season, and we succeeded. But we still want more. Let’s enjoy, let’s enjoy a little more, but we will have to quickly turn the page and project ourselves on the Final Four. We go there to win,” Ouattara said in an interview for the club’s website.
As captain and historic player of the Roca Team, this feat is even more special for him.
“Clearly. This is the biggest achievement with Monaco so far. It’s just extraordinary. The club continues to evolve, and I evolve with it. Season after season, we manage to have a lot of success and to enhance the club’s objectives. First the Pro A, then the Champions League, then the Eurocup, and now the Euroleague… It’s a daydream, honestly.”
The club evolved in recent years, and with the renovated gym, the goals are getting bigger with each season.
“Seeing all the years of work rewarded is a lot of happiness. Each year, we move forward, and we climb even higher. Our objectives are higher and higher over the seasons, and above all, the club gives itself the means to achieve them. The hall is magnificent, and I hope that we can continue to make the supporters happy.”
Along with the team, Ouattara evolved as well.
“You have to know how to adapt to the group to find your place and serve the collective as well as possible. Sometimes you have to take on a major role on the pitch, sometimes you have to be able to give everything in a more limited playing time, which is also very important. It’s not just the minutes. You also have to be able to mobilize the guys and have a defensive impact on the best players on the opposing team. Having managed to adapt my role in the team is something I’m proud of.”
Another big meeting with Olympiacos
In the semi-final in Kaunas, Monaco will once again face Olympiacos, which kept them out of last season’s Final Four.
Ouattara explains that this time things are going to be different: “They are the best team in Euroleague, they finished first in the regular season. It’s a team that we rather enjoyed playing this season since we won out and back. They have quality in all positions, the danger comes from everywhere. Vezenkov, Sloukas, and Fall, to name but a few. Since we have beaten them twice this season, I hope that the expression “never two without three” will take on its full meaning!”
And of course, the French player had a message for the fans.
“They played a crucial role, providing a voice to push us for 40 minutes. With their enthusiasm, we even heard very little from the Maccabi supporters, who tried but our fans always outbid them. It was amazing for us on the pitch. A historic match, but also a historic atmosphere here, at Gaston-Médecin. This game 5, was the best atmosphere we have known in recent years. The supporters played their part with flying colors,” Yakuba Ouattara concluded.