 Two weeks after he wore the home jersey of a Slovenian club team in a Turkish Airlines Euroleague game for the first time in 11 years, veteran forward Goran Jagodnik was named the Sportingbet MVP for October thanks to his role in leading Union Olimpija to a 2-0 start in Group D. Jagodnik was averaging 20 points after two games, but most important was his late-game heroics as Olimpija first defeated Efes Pilsen in double-overtime at home and then came back to stop Armani Jeans Milano on the road. Jagodnik's homecoming coincided with the first game that Olimpija played at the new Stozice Arena in Ljubljana, where 9,000 fans saw their team's unforgettable win against Efes - just the third double-OT game all decade in the Euroleague. Now, for a first-place showdown against Group D adversary Panathinaikos on Thursday night, Olimpija is expecting a record crowd of 13,000, the most ever to watch a club basketball game in Slovenia. "They will be our sixth player, I am sure," Jagodnik told Euroleague.net. "We must play like we did in the first two games, without overestimating Panathinaikos. We will try to surprise them, too."
First of all, Goran, congratulations on a great start and on winning the Sportingbet October MVP award. Did you imagine the Euroleague season starting this way?
"Thank you. Not really, because we didn't know which players would be available before Game 1 due to our registration problems. We managed to fix the problem right in time to play against Efes - but that was our first game together. Nobody expected us to win the first two games but this is what we did! We didn't play really well but managed to fight and give our best on court. Both were really close games but we managed to get both wins."
A lot of people are surprised to see Olimpija 2-0. What has been the key to getting two quality wins so far?
"We played like a team and with a lot of heart. We really gave our best out there on the court. We don't know each other so well because we didn't play that much time together. We play with big motivation and faith and really wanted to win both games - and so we did."
On Thursday, the most fans ever to watch a club basketball game in Slovenia will be with you to face Panathinaikos. What are your thoughts on that game and that opponent?
"I think that Panathinaikos and CSKA are the best teams in our group. It doesn't matter that CSKA has a 0-2 start; you just need to see their roster to find out they are a great team. We play at home against Panathinaikos and around 13,000 people are expected to attend the game. They will be our sixth player, I am sure. We must play like we did in the first two games, without overestimating Panathinaikos. We will try to surprise them, too."
Goran, what was it like to be down on the floor rallying in double-OT to win the home opener against Efes in front of all those great fans in Ljubljana?
"It was a great feeling, of course. Efes came here to win the game no matter what. We didn't know which exact team we would have in this game because of our registration problems. But we played our first game with a complete roster and did so in front of 9,000 people. Everything went well, we managed to win the game and it gives us a lot of motivation for the upcoming games, starting with the next one against Armani Jeans Milano."
You're birth date says you're 36, but you were bouncing around out there like a 25-year-old in that game. Are you really 36?
"I am 36, yes, but I practice every day, don't smoke and don't go out much. I take good care about my body and I guess that is the key. I don't do anything special: maybe it's my Slovenian genes! I could be a genetic issue, yes."
You've been in a lot of countries for a lot of big games: How did that victory rank on your personal scale of great moments?
"It was special. I played a lot of big games, but being 36, it is great to see that I can play well at the highest European level. It was special because it was at home. I played outside of Slovenia for the last 11 years, so I think a lot of people here kind of forgot the way I play. I am glad that I can still prove I can play at the biggest level - and that I have the chance to prove it here in Ljubljana."
It must have been special for your family and friends to see you play, too, after 11 years abroad.
"Oh yes, my parents came to see the game, and a lot of friends, too. They didn't have the chance to see me before because I played outside Slovenia. They only had the chance to see me when I played for the national team, but that was only two or three games every year. Now, they'll come to every game to support me and Olimpija. They will help us to win as many games as we can."
What does it mean for you to represent Union Olimpija in the Euroleague and to play for Jure Zdovc, a Slovenian basketball hero?
"This is the first time that I play for Olimpija. I never had the chance to do it in the past. Olimpija is growing into a much better situation and the team is doing better and better. This is a great chance for all of us to prove that Olimpija is still a big team in European basketball. Our coach, like you said, is a legend not only in Slovenia, but in the former Yugoslavia and in Europe. It is nice when you have a legend coaching the team. Everybody looks at your team in a different way, takes you more seriously. This is a big plus for us, no question about it."
Olimpija has the reputation of a giant-killer, beating the biggest teams when they visit in Ljubljana. Is that phenomenon talked about among the players or something you absorb in the locker room, on the court?
"First of all, it is very nice to play in Ljubljana. It is a great city and it is home to me. I want to prove they made a mistake by not signing me before! (Just a little joke.) Fans here know basketball and that makes it more difficult for the opponents. When we play good basketball, a lot of people come. The club is expecting 12,000 fans for our next home game against Panathinaikos. Olimpija also beat CSKA and Olympiacos in the last two years, but didn't make it to the Top 16. We hope that this win against Efes is a first step to reach the Top 16 after so many years."
 How did the team overcome so many distractions before the opening game, when it wasn't clear how many of the players would be registered on time?
"I told everyone before the game that no matter who played, everyone should put everything they had on the court and play with heart if we wanted to beat Efes. Like I said before, this was our first game together and I am sure we will get better and better. We won this game because everybody wanted to play and give their best. It was the key to that win. It was difficult, because two days before the game, we didn't know who would play or not. We won in the end and are now in a good situation."
As the oldest guy on this team, did you come in and assume a leadership role right away?
"We have a lot of good player in this team. Some players can step up in difficult moments one day and different ones can do it in the next game. Personally, I am used to taking critical shots. It is not the first time that I scored very important points late in a key game. Team is all that matters in the end. We have very good players but still need a little time to play more as a team. No matter who steps us late in the game, it is the team that wins games, not individuals."
After all your travels - Turkey, Russia, Poland, Italy, Czech Republic and Serbia - how can you explain Slovenian fans to someone who doesn't know how much basketball means in your country?
"Basketball is very important for Slovenian fans. You can see it in every national team game. No matter where we play, there are always a lot of fans - Eurobasket, World Championships, everywhere. Slovenia also needs a good basketball club and Olimpija is the team for that. If Olimpija does a good job, other teams will try to follow that and be competitive. Despite our small population, Slovenian basketball is quite important in Europe."
Would you say you come back to Slovenia at just the right time?
"Yes, we can say it like this. That, or Olimpija called me at the right time! But yes, honestly, I think I came back to Slovenia at the right time."
What does it feel like playing in the Euroleague?
"I played the Euroleague with Prokom five years ago and it is nice to be back. It is a big competition, all teams and players are good. It is great to be back - and be a member of a team that is winning!"
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