By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
BELGRADΕ – Have no doubt, Obradovic, the coach of Turkish club Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul, is the figure that dominates the Belgrade tournament.
He is on the quest for his 10th EuroLeague title in the city he was raised as a basketball player before becoming the most successful coach ever in Europe.
And all three coaches of the other three contenders are his pupils. Dimitris Itoudis of CSKA Moscow as his assistant in Panathinaikos for 13 years, Sarunas Jasikevicius of Zalgiris Kaunas played for him in Panathinaikos and Pablo Laso of Real Madrid also was his player back in 1995. Obradovic has won EuroLeague titles with all of them and he was happy to share a drink with them!
“I am happy to spend time with Dimitris, Saras and Pablo“, was the answer of the Serbian mastermind to a question about the other three coaches: “We already started last night. It’s not easy, they are younger and they will use this. Saras will try to go out tonight again. Everyone plays with his cards“.
And when asked about feeling pressure, he added: “The only pressure is where Saras will take me out tonight”. On a more serious note, Obradovic said: “I am not thinking about the 10th trophy, but the semifinal game against Zalgiris. I know how much Saras has worked and it’s special for him to be here with his team“.
Jasikevicius himself also joked: “I am happy I am not playing one-on-one against Obradovic. We are thrilled and we will be ready to face the defending champs. If you are in the Final Four playing against Obradovic, it’s already a success“.
CSKA Moscow coach Dimitris Itoudis was asked about the last time his team faces Real Madrid in a semifinal, or final game, in 1969. “I was not even born“, answered Itoudis who added: “If I am not mistaken CSKA had won that game, so that’s a good omen. It’s an honor to be here. It’s unfortunate that our injured guard Leo Westermann will not be here, but those things can also make you stronger. I talk a lot with Sergio Rodriguez, he is the guy leaving last the gym and I don’t have to say to him anything special. He knows what to do“.
Real Madrid’s Pablo Laso is happy that his team is healthy again: “It’s true that we had a tough season due to injuries. It’s also true that we are healthy at the most important moment. We are two games away from the title and we are ready to give our best shot”.
You can watch the full press conference here.