 Six seasons after he made a brief but strong debut as a teenager, Carlos Suarez of Real Madrid has enjoyed a standout return to the Euroleague this season with a number of heralded performances to lead his team to important wins. But none was more important that Game 5 of the Playoffs when the small forward turned in a double-double that helped Madrid win its do-or-die showdown against Power Electronics Valencia for a place in the 2011 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four. His 12 points, 10 rebounds and 7 rebounds proved that Suarez is made for big games and were instrumental in Madrid making its own return, to the Final Four, after 15 years. A modern small forward with good size, excellent ball-handling skills and superb athleticism, Suarez had played in the Euroleague with Estudiantes in the 2004-05 season, but the team had not returned since. With Madrid, whom he joined this season, he has been the team's second-best defensive rebounder and third-best three-point shooter, which says plenty about his importance for head coach Emanuele Molin heading to Barcelona this week. Suarez considers reaching the Final Four a great achievement, but wants more. "It is a privilege to play the Final Four and we have to be happy about it, but we won't settle for that," Suarez told Euroleague.net. "We don't just want to be one of the four best teams in Europe, but the best one, so we can dedicate it to our fans."
Hello, Carlos. Congratulations on reaching the Final Four. How special is this achievement for you?
“Thanks a lot. It is very special, of course. Madrid has not been to the Final Four in the last 15 years, so coming here this season and having the chance to play it is a great achievement. I didn’t expect to play a Final Four with Madrid so soon, but we earned the right to be here and I am very happy about it.”
Madrid did not have an easy season. What helped you make it to Barcelona?
“Well, we are a young team and we were inexperienced at times. We had moments during this season in which we didn't play well. We improved in the Top 16, but all we needed was a little patience and to have our fans backing us. People had patience with us and the good results have arrived – we made it to the Final Four and have played at a great level as a team.”
After playing only in the Spanish League for five consecutive seasons, how difficult was the adjustment for you to playing two competitions?
“Playing two competitions is physically demanding, of course. At the same time, it is obvious that when you play just once a week, the days are longer than when you play twice a week and travel a lot. Every player loves to play and a season looks shorter and more exciting when you play twice a week. The more you play, the better.”
Madrid lost four of its first five Euroleague road games, then won the next four out of five. What changed?
“We were aware that if we wanted to continue playing in this competition, to become one of the best teams around, we had to play on the road with the same intensity than we did at home. Once we managed to do that, good results started to arrive.”
The series against Power Electronics Valencia was simply outstanding. What were the biggest keys that allowed you to reach the Final Four?
“There were several keys, but rebounding was the biggest one, in my opinion. We also managed to play good defense against their most important players – Omar Cook, Dusko Savanovic and Rafa Martinez.”
You were reunited this season with Sergio Rodriguez, your former Estudiantes teammate, after many years. How do you like playing with him again?
“First of all, having a player like Sergio in the team makes me happy, after not having the chance to play with him for a long time. Above all, I think he is the best player in Europe when it comes to the transition game. I think that we will see the best of him in no time.”
 Real Madrid faces Maccabi in the semifinals. What do you need to do well to reach the title game?
“Maccabi is a very physical team with important players at all positions. I would highlight Sofoklis Schortsanitis and Jeremy Pargo as its best players. We have to play good defense against Maccabi. They had a great Euroleague season. We hope that, even though we don’t have their experience, we will manage to find a way to beat them.”
Speaking of experience, only two Madrid players - Pablo Prigioni and Sergi Vidal - have been to the Final Four before. How much of a factor can this be in such a high-pressure game?
“When you play for Real Madrid, that pressure is always there, in every single game. We are all used to playing with pressure. That will not be the problem. Like you said, only Pablo and Sergi have previous Final Four experience, but that has to be a matter of motivation for us. We are young, hungry and don’t have the number of titles other players like, for instance, Dimitris Diamantidis has. That has to motivate us even more to win the Euroleague.”
Everyone in Madrid must be excited about the chance to win the title. Is there a special atmosphere around the team and in the city?
“Our fans are very excited. They are looking forward to going to Barcelona and seeing their team in the Final Four after 15 years away from it. They can’t wait to see us play in Barcelona, but we have to stay calm and take one game at the time. We are in the Final Four despite being one of the youngest teams in the Euroleague – and definitely the youngest one in the event. Our fans have to be aware that this team has a long run in it and hopes to compete for the Euroleague title for many years to come.”
Last but not least, Madrid has the chance to add a ninth Euroleague title and start a new era. What would it mean for you and the club to lift the trophy at the end of the weekend?
“Along with an Olympic medal, winning the Euroleague is the best thing you can achieve as a basketball player. There are a lot of important players that have retired without winning a Euroleague title. Someone like Alberto Herreros, who is so important in Spanish basketball, told me the other day that he never even made it to a Final Four despite being close several times. It is a privilege to play the Final Four and we have to be happy about it, but we won’t settle for that. We don’t just wanna be one of the four best teams in Europe, but the best one so we can dedicate it to our fans.”
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