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His other three counterparts at the 2004 Final Four are all at least a decade older than him and started their head coaching careers in the 1970's. In the same sense that his team is something of a young, unexpected guest in Tel Aviv , so then Skipper Bologna coach Jasmin Repesa can be considered as he makes his first Final Four appearance also. Anyone who discounts Repesa or his team as legitimate trophy contenders is playing with fire, however. Skipper has already beaten all three of those other teams, and is the only opponent to emerge victorious from both Moscow and Tel Aviv this season. While reading this Euroleague.net Final Four head coaches interview, one thing becomes clear: Repesa and his team are not to be intimidated. They are confident of shining moments to come, and no one can say how soon. "We experienced some difficult losses early in the season, but some of the losses that we had for sure help us now," Repesa told Euroleague.net. "Experience is a part of life and it's one of the most important things that has helped us grow as a team."
All the teams in the Final Four are from regular season Group B. What effect does that have on the matchups and the way you prepare?
"I said after the draw last year that all the teams who qualify for the Top 16 from Group B are surely capable of arriving at the Final Four. We had a very very strong group in the regular season and everyone knew that. Now, we can see just how strong it was because all the teams in Tel Aviv are from Group B, and the fifth team that was the closest to making the Final Four was Zalgiris, also from Group B. Even Panathinaikos had a chance at the end of the Top 16 to make it. For sure, preparing for Final Four will be a little bit easier because we've played all of the teams at least two times and we've played Siena four times this season. We all know each other very well."
Skipper comes into the FF as the "underdog" but you are the only Euroleague team that beat both CSKA and Maccabi in their arenas. Do you think that the "underdog" label is warranted?
"It's a surprise that we qualified, that's for sure. But for me, all the teams in the Final Four have the same chance. We all have a 25 percent chance to win. Each team only has to win two games to be the champion. For sure, we are not coming in as a favorite. The same is true for Siena, too. There are many reasons that we are not the favorite. But we are all in the same situation now. Whoever wins two games will be the European champion."
With such a young team that is able to surprise opponents, do you think that playing a one-game elimination is in your favor or are more experienced teams helped by the format?
"We showed many times this year that we can play that type of game with big pressure. We won in tough gyms this season - Moscow, Tel Aviv, Treviso. And we also won games under big preassure like against Efes Pilsen here in Bologna and against Pau-Orthez in France. We will be ready to play the title game and we have shown that we can win games under pressure."
What do you think is Skipper's strongest characteristic? What is the biggest factor that allowed you to arrive at the Final Four?
"We have many players who can be protagonists. Our top scorer changes almost every game. That's to our advantage. It's not easy to scout against us. We are young, we can run, we have won games that no one expected us to win.
The team has had some highs and lows, huge wins and disappointing defeats. What do you emphasize to the players to help them get past the losses and play well in the big games?
"When you lose a game the best thing that can happen is to play a new game as soon as possible. This year we have never had a break in the schedule, so we always had another game. Even after tough losses we've had a chance to come back and get back on track. We have a young team and we have to learn every day and we must learn from every game. We have players who are trying to improve with every game. This has helped us because the players have a good attitude."
How has the team changed over the course of the season? What have you guys improved on?
"I think we've gotten better in all aspects of the game. The players now know each other much better than at the start of the season. We changed the team in many positions since last season, so at the beginning the players didn't know what to expect from each other. Now that we've played together for a while, we are using the best possibilities from every player during the game. The players know where their teammates' strengths are and we use them."
What strategic changes have you made over the course of the season? You've always been a very good offensive team, but obviously you need defense to win big games.
"We have had to play zone defense over the course of the season. This year we've had many injury problems. Especially now. It's not easy to play every three days and find regular matchups with our opponents. We shouldn't use zone defense like we do, but it is necessary. In the Final Four it is impossible to win without good defense. The Final Four is a different competition, more physical. Mental toughness is also key. We have to be smart with our preparation. We hope we will be ready for this type of challenge that will be coming with the Final Four."
Are you concerned about your team's health going into the FF? Van Den Spiegel has been injured, but some other players are battling smaller injuries. Do you think you guys will be healthy enough to compete at your top level?
"I am a little bit worried, for sure. There is still time for players to recuperate physically and I hope that we will solve our problems so that we will be ready."
Your team seems to have great chemistry. Can you talk about the character of the team and how things have come together?
"Our last two or three games in the Euroleague showed that the team has character. We are ready to play in a tight game. I was pleased with how we reacted in the important games in Group E. Especially the games against Efes Pilsen and Pau-Orthez. We experienced some difficult losses early in the season, but some of the losses that we had for sure help us now. Experience is a part of life and it's one of the most important things that has helped us grow as a team."
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