10,000 spectators expected in Bologna, nearly 70 accredited journalists, 20 giant screens distributed in the streets of Bursa: this Wednesday evening, basketball Europe will have its eyes turned towards the Segafredo Arena! But Tuesday noon, the Virtus was still far from all this commotion. In front of the press, the Italian team ended its last training with a smile. “If I thought Milos Teodosic wouldn’t be ready for the final, then I’d better not come to the game,” laughed Sergio Scariolo in front of Turkish television.
With one of the finest records of coaching in the world, the transalpine technician is at the gates of the 17th trophy of his career. Not exactly the same total asIsaïa Cordinier who has the opportunity, at 25, to grab his first title. Among the last players who remained at the shoot, the former full-back from Antibes, Évreux, Denain and Nanterre shared his impressions as he approached his first final.
Isaïa, how do you feel 24 hours from a European Cup final?
Concentrate ! We did our job in training. We expect to play a very, very tough game. We are ready to go to war, quite simply. We know that our supporters will be behind us, the room will be sold out. We have seen that this EuroCup format could be a double-edged sword but we are only one match away from the title. You will have to pay attention to the details.
Since the start of the season, Virtus Bologna has been claiming its title objective. You have 40 minutes to accomplish the work of 9 months somehow…
Yes, we have put ourselves in a position to accomplish our objective. Now it’s up to us to finish the job and put on a serious match against a team that has nothing to lose, who will arrive with their teeth scratching the floor. It is up to us to take over that above all.
“I have only one desire, to do battle on the ground”
Exactly, it’s a surprise poster. No one expected Bursaspor this far, they knocked out three big away teams (Partizan Belgrade, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana and Andorra). Does that necessarily lead to mistrust?
It’s the format of this competition that wants that! Afterwards, anyway, you have to beat everyone to achieve what you want, so we focus on what we have to do, on ourselves. We have worked well these last two days in training so as I said, it’s war now! We are ready to go.
Since your qualification in Valencia last Wednesday, you have played two Lega games (73-108 at Sassari and 79-57 against Brescia). Wasn’t there a somewhat bastard state of mind on these two meetings, where we play with the handbrake, thinking of Bursaspor?
Above all, the schedule was quite complicated with three matches in five days. We tried to be serious and applied. We always play to win anyway. We took one out of two, it allowed us to keep pace and confidence.
Isaïa Cordinier Tuesday noon during the last Virtus training
(photo: Matteo Marchi)
Against Bursaspor, is it the most important game of your career so far?
Clearly! These are my first playoffs. I have the chance to play in a European final so frankly, I am very excited. I have only one desire, it is to be on the ground and to fight it out.
Exactly, isn’t the trap also not to find the right balance between emotions and concentration?
It’s exactly that ! That’s why we will have to be very focused on the details, on our game-plan, and let your energy direct you towards this concentration. That’s what is good.
“I’m so happy for Mom”
You came to Bologna for this anyway…
Absolutely. I knew it was a club with big goals, high quality basketball. But it’s not over, the job is not finished. We still have a game to win.
Would there be a statement of failure on the European season in the event of defeat in the final?
We are here to win so we can say that if you want. A final is won, it is not played. Now that we’re in a position to finish the job, let’s finish it.
On Monday, the EuroCup MVP trophy was awarded to Mam ‘Jaiteh. What inspires you?
Incredible. Deserved. I’m too happy for him. Because of his career, he who was a little sidelined in France, pushed towards the exit, he went abroad, he made his mark and he arrived here. It’s really deserved, he was dominant this year. Dominant is the word. We see that he is reaching maturity in his game. He is surrounded by very good players who allow him to shine but he also allows others to shine through his placement and his finishes. He is impressive. But we will celebrate that later on the other hand (he laughs). The most important thing is the final!
A French duo to a small victory of the EuroCup
(photo : Virtus Bologne)
MCS Basket, it’s more than 50 live matches/month excluded!
The EuroCup and the best of European championships (regular season & playoffs). Only 6.99 euros per month or 49 euros/year. Go to https://mcsbasket.tv/
The program of the week on MCS Basket :
- May 11 at 6:30 p.m.: Anadolu Efes – Izmir (Turkey quarter-final)
- 11 May at 8.30 p.m.: Virtus Bologna – Bursaspor (EuroCup final)
- May 11 at 9 p.m.: Real Madrid – Murcia (Liga Endesa matchday 33)
- 12 May at 7 p.m.: Red Star – Ljubljana (Adriatic League semi-final)
- May 13 at 6:30 p.m.: Izmir – Anadolu Efes (Turkey quarter-final)
- May 14 at 6 p.m.: Manresa – Barcelona (34th day of Liga Endesa)
- May 14 at 8:45 p.m.: Gran Canaria – Real Madrid (34th day of Liga Endesa)
- 15 mai à 17h : Fenerbahçe – Bursaspor (quart de finale de Turquie)
- May 15 at 8:30 p.m.: Buducnost Podgorica – Partizan Belgrade (Adriatic League quarter-final)
In Bologna,
