F4 History: 2002, The Greens do it again
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Obradovic, five titles
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2002 FINAL FOUR
Bologna, Italy
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After a season with two champions, in 2001-02 there was only one competition, managed by the Euroleague. Despite the lack of a formal agreement between ULEB and FIBA, the spirit of agreement was manifest also on the playing court. Due to various contractual obligations made by both organizations, the competition system had to include 32 teams, divided into four groups during the first phase. In the second phase, there were 16 teams in 4 groups of 6 teams each, with no carryover from the first phase. Four group winners classified for the Final Four, which took place in Bologna, Italy between May 3 and 5. The four semifinalists were Panathinaikos, Maccabi, Kinder and Benetton, three of the finalists in the two competitions the previous year. In the first semifinal, Kinder filled its role as favorite by beating Benetton 90-82 with a mix of scorers who included Marko Jaric (18), David Andersen (15), Emanuel Ginobili and Sani Becirovic (14 each) and Rashard Griffith (13). Meanwhile, against all predictions, Panathinaikos beat its rival Maccabi 83-77 behind 26 points from Dejan Bodiroga.
In the grand final, Panathiniakos triumphed over Kinder 89-83. Ibrahim Kutluay scored 22 points while Bodiroga added 21 and was named MVP of the game. Other strong roles were played by Lazaros Papadopoulos, veterans Johnny Rogers and Darryl Middleton, captain Fragiskos Alvertis (who played in his sixth Final Four) and Damir Mulaomerovic, who finally won in his fourth attempt. On the bench was the master, Zeljko Obradovic, who set a record with his fifth crown split between four teams: Partizan, Joventut, Real Madrid and Panathinaikos (2). For Kinder, 27 points by Ginobili and 23 by Matjaz Smodis were not enough to win the title its home fans so desired.
Kutluay drives strong |
Interview: Ibrahim Kutluay of Panathinaikos
After a long climb from obscurity to the very heights of the European game, Turkish basketball in 2002 finally had a player it could call champion of the continent: Ibrahim Kutluay. Having been to the Final Four previously, with Efes Pilsen in 2000, Kutluay knew that great performances were necessary to win, and he put up his own in the 2002 title game. After the host team, Kinder Bologna, took off to a 14-point lead, Kutluay started sending up shots. They kept falling until he had a team-high 22 points, the last three coming on a huge three-pointer in the closing minutes that put Panathinakos in the clear for the title. Never before had a son of Turkey held the Euroleague trophy in his hands, and what's more, Kutluay had everything to do with the victory.
You got a lot of responsibility for your team's scoring in Bologna. How were you able to manage it?
- "We had a great team last season and before the Final Four. We all believed that we would become champions. We had an excellent performance during the Final Four and I think we deserved the championship. I took the responsibility of my team in the last minutes because someone has to do it. I made a very critical three-pointer to change the destiny of the match. I repeat that we had a great performance as a team, not individually. Dejan Bodiroga also did great job for us. The star players are there to play those critical moments. And I think both me and Bodiroga did what we knew how to do. And to be the first Turkish player to win the Euroleague trophy also is another great moment for me."
Is this the greatest memory in your basketball career?
"I had lots of unforgettable memories in my basketball career. But of course, winning the Euroleague trophy last season is the best thing in my basketball life. I had many personal successes in the past, like top scorer of Europe, Turkey and MVP awards, but as a team performance, the 2002 Euroleague final is the best memory of my life. I'm honored to be part of Panathinaikos's success last year."
Who do you think will win the Final Four in Barcelona?
"I think there are three great teams in the finals of the Euroleague. These are Barcelona, CSKA Moscow and Benetton. Montepaschi Siena also a good team but doesn't have the experiance as much as the others. Barcelona is going to play with the home advantage and I'm sure they will use it as much as they can. They also have a very good team, a perfect coach in Pesic and a very experianced player in Bodiroga. CSKA Moscow is also the best-record team in the Euroleague this season. Benetton is also very dangerous with its experienced team. They always plays systematically. And I think that Barcelona and Benetton will play the final."
It was unusual to have a Final Four with a home team. Do you think it made a difference in Bologna?
"I know how it feels playing big games at home. It puts a little pressure on the home team to play in front of your home spectators. Sometimes it makes you feel much more nervous than any other time. On the other hand, it's a great advantage to have the huge support of your own with you."
You played for the coach who has won more Euroleague titles than any other. Could you see why in the final game against Kinder?
"Yes. Zeljko Obradovic is my idol. He was born to be a coach. He is an expert on basketball. It's always very different than my past memories with coaches. I respect all my ex-coaches but Coach Obradovic is the one who can change the destiny of the game like a great player. And against Kinder in the Final Four of Euroleague 2002, we felt that advantage, too."
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Euroleague.net
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