Bologna –
Ahead of Game 1 of the Final against Famila Wuber Schio these are the words of Iliana Rupert to the microphones of Radio Nettuno Bologna Uno: “Physically and mentally we are very well, we are super excited for this Scudetto which is our main goal come this point of the season: we can’t wait for Saturday.
Schio is a very good team, they already have two trophies in their trophy case and they reached the Euroleague Final Four, but we knew that whoever reached the final would be a high level team. They still remain a difficult team to face so it will be a great fight and we know there will be a battle: we want to bring this title to Bologna to give a great joy to our fans.
To win? At this point it only matters who wants to win. Small details make a difference: an extra rebound a recovered dirty ball are small things that make a big difference.
I want to send a message to our fans: Thank you! They have been amazing throughout the season, making us feel all their support, never leaving us. We want to win for them and bring home the big prize for them.”
Ivana Dojkic also spoke to the microphones, “Personally, I feel great, although I have had some problems throughout the season, but I have managed to play a few consecutive games and this has allowed me to find the best rhythm. As a team we are full and this is the most important thing because we can all give our best.
Compared to last year, so much has changed, both from the point of view of the players and from a mentality point of view, which has grown and we have the awareness that we have arrived at the finals in a certain way and this was the first goal: the second is to aim for victory, because we know the pressures around us.
Schio? We know that every Euroleague team is hard to beat, especially because of what they have conquered and the way they play. They certainly have a good moment on their side so we will have to keep them from exploiting it, focusing on us since if we are able to do that, we can have a wide range in which to operate and different things to focus on. When we play as a team we know that no one can stop us because we know how to have fun on the field and that helps.
The fans? I hope that more and more fans will become passionate about women’s basketball and that they can come in large numbers.I know that the history of men’s basketball here in Bologna has a long tradition, but I’m sure that if they came to see us they would become passionate. Every day I always try to work without being influenced by external factors, such as a full or empty palace, but having a full PalaDozza like the past Finals is something that doesn’t leave you indifferent, goosebumps, that gives you that extra motivation to go all the way.”
