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by:
Javier Gancedo, Euroleague.net
March 29, 2010
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 If one player can be called the revelation of the Playoffs so far, it has to be 23-year-old rookie Ante Tomic of Real Madrid, who is playing the season's biggest games before the Final Four as if he always knew he would share such dramatic Euroleague moments. Signed in mid-January, the 2.17-meter center quickly made a place for himself in Madrid's starting lineup, but what he did in Game 2 against Regal FC Barcelona will be remembered for a long time. Facing the best defense of the season, Tomic shot 10-for-15 for 22 points and blocked 4 shots while helping Madrid turn around homecourt advantage in the best-of-five series with a shock 63-70 road win. As the two teams head to the Spanish capital for Games 3 and 4, to say Tomic has arrived is an understatement. He has already changed a series at the very top of European basketball, something he couldn't have imagined just two months ago, when he was playing for KK Zagreb in his Croatian hometown. Then, the telelphone rang. "When Real Madrid called me, it was like a dream come true," Tomic told Euroleague.net. "Ettore is one of the greatest coaches in basketball and Madrid is probably the best club in the world. It was very exciting to get that call...It is something that doesn't happen very often."
Ante, it's been quite a change for you in a just a couple months. Did you expect when you arrived to Madrid in late January to be playing such a big role now?
"Honestly, no. I didn't know what to expect when I came here. The team is great, with very good players and they all welcomed me very well. I feel very comfortable in the team. Our coach trusts me more and more, which is a good thing for me."
Was leaving Zagreb in the middle of the season a surprise for you?
"I didn't expect to go in the middle of the season. I hoped I could join a big team at the end of this season, but when Real Madrid called me, it was like a dream come true. Of course, I accepted, because you don't get a chance like that every day."
What's it like to get a call like that from Real Madrid and Ettore Messina saying they want you to join them?
"It feels great, of course. Ettore is one of the greatest coaches in basketball and Madrid is probably the best club in the world. It was very exciting to get that call. Like I said before, it is something that doesn't happen very often."
 What adjustments did you have to make to playing in the Euroleague?
"Well, a little bit. You need to be more physical in the Euroleague, no question about that. Your concentration has to be a little bit higher, too. Even with that, basketball is the same sport, but it's just that the Euroleague is a different level. It is not like I had to make great adjustments, but I had to change little things."
What specifics from Coach Messina and his staff helped you adjust so quickly?
"Well, they treated me like everybody else and everybody was willing to help me. I feel very comfortable here. Having someone like Coach Messina trying to get me involved in defense and offense helped me to adjust, too."
Talking about this series, one you never could have expected to be part of a couple months ago: what impresses a newcomer about such historic Madrid-Barcelona games?
"It is unbelievable. We are probably playing against the best team in Europe, but showed that we can play and beat them. I hope that in Madrid, we will be able to win both games and go to Paris. I used to follow the classic when I was in Croatia, football and basketball. Being part of it is very special for me."
Game 1 was a close loss after Madrid led much of the way. How much did Game 1 give you guys confidence to win Game 2?
"Playing the way we did in Game 1 gave us a lot of confidence. We played really well in Game 1, but made some mistakes in the end that cost us the win. We tried to be more focused and consistent in Game 2, especially in the fourth quarter. We played a little bit more aggressive and calm, ran our offense longer, played better defense and that led us to win. We didn't allow easy baskets. They like to throw alley-oops, play fast, and we didn't allow them to do that."
If the numbers are any indication, your own confidence level rose between games. What were you thinking going into Game 2?
 "Well, I had foul troubles in Game 1 and it is difficult to go in the game and out quickly several times. It is difficult to get your rhythm. It was great in Game 2 because I was able to play several consecutive minutes and that helps you to do better. I got a lot of touches in the beginning of the game, scored some quick points and that, of course, helps you to get going."
This must come as amazing news to your friends and family in Croatia. What kind of response are you getting from them?
"They are all enjoying it and congratulated me after Game 2. They are very happy, of course.... I don't know what to say! I am happy to have great friends that follow all I do, watch my games and are very excited to see me play for Real Madrid!"
After watching it growing up, how do you like playing in the Euroleague now?
"It feels great because I had never played this competition when I came to Madrid. It was all new for me and I was very excited. I had to prove myself right away, but they didn't expect me to do very well. Maybe because of that I played a good game the other day - nobody expected me to play so well. Now, all I need to do is to keep going, help the team as much as I can and focus on Game 3."
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