Bologna, April 26 –
This morning during the “Basket 88” broadcast on Made in Bo Tv (Media Partner of V Blacks) Olbis Andrè and Sabrina Cinili, were guests of the Tv program. Many topics were touched upon, from the season to the upcoming Game-1 against Famila Wuber Schio, scheduled for Saturday, April 29, 8:30 p.m., at Paladozza.
Sarina Cinili: “Game 2 between Schio and Venice was not an easy match for them, they had an advantage, they have a level roster and they have shown that in important matches they assert themselves. We are charged up, we have been waiting all year for this game and we are looking forward to giving our spectators a great show-they have supported us all season long.
We got word of the Paladozza sold out, it will certainly be a point in our favor and it has helped us so much, especially in the semifinals: we want to give this victory and a joy to our fans, I really want to win it. As captain I am charging the team, although they don’t need my encouragement.
We are young, so there is a lot of desire to do, but there are steps and you have to respect them; the coach has helped a lot in this. I haven’t been very well lately, so I haven’t helped much on the court, but off the court I make my voice heard. Absolutely: people who come to women’s basketball just need to come and watch two or three games and then they are already in love. Men’s and women’s basketball are almost two different sports: in their case there is a lot more athleticism, but our strength is the energy we put in, verbally and when we are on the court, being a team all the time, and almost everyone likes that.
Schio? Certainly in the last game Verona showed a lot of character, very young, but with a great personality. Yesterday she changed the game and dragged her team to victory; she is a point guard, so by limiting her and stopping their transitions we have a better chance of bringing home the match.
What grade do we give our season? I a 9: There has been incredible growth. Initially, we struggled a lot with Coach Ticchi’s system, but when we adapted we grew technically and mentally. I don’t give 10 just because we haven’t won the scudetto yet, but that will happen in two weeks. Our level similar, if not higher. Schio has more history, but we are also very organized.”
Olbis Andrè : You know that Schio is used to these games, they have a much deeper roster than Venice and much more experience. After so many seasons in Schio, being on the other side is a little strange. We can do it, we have what it takes and we want to give the city and fans a victory. It will be strange for me, but we have worked so hard and want to do our best.
One of my dreams is to win the Scudetto at Paladozza with Bologna; I want to win for my city: all this gives me a lot of energy and I really hope we can achieve this goal.
I think in women’s sports, especially in basketball, we need clubs like Virtus to raise the level more and more. Here I know that if there is something wrong I can talk about it and someone will help me out. I haven’t heard from anyone from Schio, but there are teammates and friends on the other side, so it will be exciting; on the court it will be war, but off it we will be friends. I am here at Virtus to win the Scudetto with Bologna and to make Sabrina Cinili win it! All jokes aside, our captain always helps us and supports us, even if she can’t play. I think I am agile and I try to exploit this characteristic of mine, especially in defense, when I try to anticipate my opponent. Sabri (Cinili) helped me a lot, gave me advice, then I felt all the confidence of the staff and my other teammates.
Better the final in five games or in three? From a certain point of view, better in three, because at this point of the season you are tired, but it is also true, that with this mode the first game is already decisive, so there is a lot of pressure right from the start. In the regular season with Schio the Paladozza was very helpful, while last year for us the Venetians was very hard against the bianconero people. In general our opponents, have foreigners with a lot of points in hand and it will be important to lower their percentages. As Italians, Keys and Verona, in moments of difficulty, manage to do the dirty work. It will be important to block their system and take away their certainties.
Are the values of Schio and Virtus the same? The values are the same. Schio’s history speaks for itself, they have an organization that starts from years of work and this is not the same as Bologna in women’s basketball, but we are also creating our own history and we have all the cards to achieve our goals.”
