MILOJEVIC:”I AM ALWAYS AN OPTIMIST”

In Belgrade hotel “Crowne Plaza” was held a press conference before ABA finals between Mega Leks and Crvena Zvezda Telekom, which starts on Thursday at 19 am in the Hall “Aleksandar Nikolic” in Belgrade. The assembled media representatives were presented trophies that are awaiting champions of ABA league, trophy that goes to the permanent ownership and rings for winners of regional competition.

Apart from the ABA league Sports director Zarko Cabarkapa, the conference was attended by Mega Leksa coach Dejan Milojevic, captain Rade Zagorac, coach of Crvena zvezda Telekom Dejan Radonjic and Branko Lazic.

Mega’s Captain Rade Zagorac first congratulate Zvezda for this year’s successes in Europe and then referred to the impending finals:

“I believe that Zvezda is favorite, has a better roster. Our team has played very well this season, although it was slowed by numerous injuries. So it was in this break to the final, but that does not mean that we will give up in advance, we will do our best and see if it’s enough for win”,

concluded Zagorac.

Coach Dejan Milojevic presentation began with a joke:

“I asked Zarko Cabarkapa (Sporting director of ABA league) to shorten the final game four times five minutes because of the problems we have with our roster but he did not agree”,

Milojevic said and then continued:

“Joking aside, we have a major roster problems. Luwawu certainly will not play the first match because of injury. We will see whether it will be ready for the second and third game. I hope it will, it all depends on him and his situation. This is a injury you can not know what the situation is, on Tuesday he tried to train but it was not it. In addition, we will be short for Pavlovic also, he would be used in this situation, even though he had less playing time. Despite all the problems and the fact about our short roster, I believe in this team. Against whoever we play, we will do our best, and no one responds well to the game that builds Mega. We have a chance, and if they made quarters five minutes they would be even greater”,

in the same tone he finished strategist of Mega.

Milojevic then referred to the fact that in addition to major changes to his roster of each season, the finals is a great success for the team:

“I am honored that we managed to get in a situation to win against a team as it is Zvezda. This season, both games were competitive. But when the kids are playing against a team that plays Top 8 and which is perhaps lacked a bit of luck to go to the Final Four , then it is a great thing. I do not want to make an alibi for the first game. Are we going to win – I do not know, but we have to be optimistic. I know that my colleague Dejan Radonjic is optimistic, because even though he is trying to ‘drop the ball’ every match, he has a great deal of optimism. Well, just look at who’s Zvezda won this season – from Real and Khimki, to Efes and Panathinaikos. These are all teams with much bigger budgets and better players on paper but names do not play. But if you make a good team, you can win against team that is better at names and more expensive, as it happened to us against Buducnost. We believe then in what we do and would like to repeat it tomorrow and make a surprise. I am aware that the chances are small, but as long there is a one percent chance, I’m an optimist and I will try to convey that to my players”.

When asked about the competition break of 40 days, coach Mege answered:

“This is a completely new situation, even for me, I hope the last of its kind. I do not know whether it will leave a mark, we will see if it will affect us. Perhaps this lack of competitive rhythm can get us down. Honestly, I do not I believe that anyone was in this situation”,

Mega’s coach ended.

Photo: Ivica Veselinov/Mega Leks