February 09, 2012
Star Turn, Q & A: Matjaz Smodis, CSKA Moscow
Matjaz Smodis - CSKA Moscow
CSKA Moscow
Only 10 men in European club basketball history have won four or more continental titles, but they could soon have company in CSKA Moscow power forward Matjaz Smodis. Indeed, a new Euroleague crown would not only make him the 11th member of that exclusive fraternity, but Smodis would also become just the second among them to win titles with more than one club. Smodis began collecting trophies in his native Slovenia before joining his current coach, Ettore Messina, at Kinder Bologna of Italy for their first Euroleague title together, in 2001. Five years later, they met up again to lift 2006 and 2008 Euroleague crowns with CSKA, while losing the the 2007 final by just two points. The first non-Russian team captain in CSKA’s long and glorious history, Smodis missed some early games this season with injury, but returned to lead the charge to the Final Four, his sixth and the club's seventh in a row. A rare combination of inside post-up and outside three-point threat, Smodis is a walking mismatch for defenses and another of CKSA’s big-game shot-makers. If he moves up the ladder of Europe's most successful players ever, Smodis will no doubt be earning every step higher that he takes.

Having qualified for plenty of Final Fours before, do you appreciate it more as you get older?

"Of course, because now I know how hard it is to get to a Final Four. You have to basically be blessed physically and talent-wise enough to even be on a good team that's consistent enough to come to the Final Four. To be able to do that every year makes it that much more unusual."

Even though CSKA's in its seventh straight Final Four, each season is different. What has been unique about this one for CSKA?

"I would say the fact that even after changing a lot of players this summer and losing a couple more during the season with injuries, we still managed to stay competitive and be one of the best teams in Europe."

Before the season, you were named CSKA's first non-Russian captain ever. How much did that responsibility weigh on you in terms of keeping the team's Final Four streak alive?

"I didn't see it as an extra pressure in terms of the Final Four. It was something, let's say, that I felt made it a little more difficult to me to keep doing well. Being captain gives you more responsibility because you have to take things into your hands, on the court and off, read situations, how they are developing and not developing. It has been hard. I like it, but I am still learning and I still feel like I need more time to adjust to the new role."

Back-to-back titles is about the only thing that this CSKA team has not yet accomplished in the Euroleague. How much would a repeat resonate with those of you who have won single titles already?

"That would be the cherry on the cake, basically. Winning back-to-back is something that none of us has done yet. We came close two years ago, but we failed. I think it would mean a lot for us and basically would be the crowning moment of a very special four years in CSKA."

When you left Slovenia almost 10 years ago, could you have imagined becoming a three-time Euroleague champion by now?

"I wouldn't have imagined it at all. At that point, I was just leaving to find security for my family, trying to do my best and earn money for them. It wasn't about winning or doing something special. It was just about putting myself in a position to do well for my family."

One link among all your Euroleague titles, and the quest for a new one now, is Coach Ettore Messina. What has he meant to your career?

"He's a great teacher, a great coach, and surely someone who has helped me, and not just on the court, but also growing up as a person. As I grow on the court, I also grow off the court. Basically, it has been a learning experience with him, and for sure he's a big part of my life. I am very grateful to be able to work with him."
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Euroleague.net
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SCHEDULE
SEMIFINALS, May 1:
Regal FCB 78-82 CSKA Moscow
Olympiacos 82-84 Panathinaikos
3RD PLACE, May 3:
Olympiacos 79-95 Regal FCB
FINAL, May 3:
Panathinaikos 73-71 CSKA Moscow

FINAL FOUR TEAMS

DEVOTION

2008-09 ALL-EL TEAM, MVP
Jordi Bertomeu, Juan Carlos Navarro

FINAL FOUR SLIDE SHOW
Vassilis Spanoulis - Panathinaikos - Final Four Berlin 2009