Bologna, May 09 –
Interviewed by the local Bologna newspapers, TRC (media partner) and Nettuno Bologna Uno (official radio), Ante Zizic made a comment on Bertram Derthona Tortona, the next quarterfinal opponent: It is a very good team and has important players. It is dangerous to play against them. Then again, this is playoff time, things change, everyone gives their best in this period. It will be important to start the series well, reacting to their physicality. It’s very important to play in front of our audience. And it’s nice. Even in the Euroleague these days we saw what it means to play game 5 of the playoffs at home, it’s like being on the court in six. It means so much to us, and then again, we have been working for it. It is a very competitive league. Clearly we and Milan are Euroleague teams, but all of them are competitive and before we start you can’t say which one is the one to beat. Whoever wins the regular season has more pressure, everyone is trying to beat you. We, however, can still improve.”
Zizic also applauded his own fans, “They are a very important aspect. It’s nice to play important games in front of your own crowd. We also saw in the recent Game 5 in Athens the weight of the home court factor: those playing away from home have to deal with 6 opponents. We worked to have this advantage until the end and if we got it, it is because we deserved it.”
However, the Croatian center was good at fitting in running into the Club: “It is never easy to fit into a group that has been playing together for half a season and is doing well. My teammates and the public have been close to me and this has made sure that the difficulties were overcome. I think ninth place in the Euroleague was a great result in a season where the level was very high and where losing or winning a game meant being ahead or behind a couple of opponents.”
Zizic has a future still in Virtus Segafredo in mind: “I would like to open a cycle here at Virtus where there is tradition and passion. The city then has been very welcoming to me and my family. There are all the prerequisites to do well.”
Euroleague – This was a more competitive Euroleague than the previous ones. One win and you went up three places in the standings, one loss and you went down. After I arrived there were injuries, a few unlucky games and we slipped back, but making the play-in remains a goal accomplished. Yes, Virtus had a good season in Europe.”
The rotation – We know that the rules require two foreigners to stay out of the game. How we go on the field is the coach’s decision, and we players have a duty to be ready. It is clear that each of us would like to go out on the field, play lots of balls, and help our teammates win. That is the only thing that really matters, personal goals come later.”
