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50 Years interview: Rodrigo de la Fuente, FC Barcelona
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There might never have been a Euroleague Basketball title in F.C. Barcelona without him. Besides being the captain on the 2003 championship team, Rodrigo De la Fuente had come up big in key moments of the Top 16 that season, making steals and hitting free throws that literally helped to save Barcelona's season long before record crowds rallied the team to victory at the Final Four. This week, after 10 years spent with Barcelona, for the first time De la Fuente returns as a visiting player, hoping to bring his experience to bear against his old team so that his brand new one, Lottomatica Roma, can qualify for the Top 16. On top of that, De la Fuente, Fucka and Bodiroga, now Roma's sport area manager, will be honored in a 50 Years of European Club Basketball pre-game ceremony for their role in that 2003 championship team, Barcelona's only continental title-winner. "There are many emotions going into this game," De la Fuente told Euroleague.net. "I think that this is the most difficult game I will have to play in my entire career."
Hello, Rodrigo. First, what jumps to mind when you think of the 2003 Euroleague Final Four and the title game against Benetton?
"It brings very special memories, of course. It was a highly-anticipated game in Barcelona, as well as in the club. The team had been looking forward to winning the Euroleague title for many years. The fact that we managed to win the title at home, backed by our fans, was incredible. It was a a great effort that led to a great success. We were all prepared to finally win the Euroleague title."
Barcelona faced critical moments in the 2002-03 season when it looked like you wouldn't reach the Final Four, but epic Top 16 home wins against Olympiacos and Union Olimpija saved you. Did you feel like you were on the ropes at times?
"Yes, we went through some tough moments during the season. We made a lot of roster moves the previous summer, the team structure changed and new players arrived. It is not easy to start winning right away when you have a new team. The team showed a lot of character, and I must say we have great players with a lot of talent in that roster. That allowed us to win a lot of close games down the stretch."
Barcelona had lost five previous Euroleague finals, the last of those in 1997. Many people felt that 2003, with the Final Four at home, was a now-or-never situation for the club. Did you feel the pressure?
"There was a lot of pressure, because Barcelona had never won the Euroleague title and we had the chance to play the Final Four in our own city. That was extra motivation but also extra pressure for us. Playing for Barcelona always means pressure, but even more under those circumstances. The club had made a major investment to win the Euroleague title at home. In the end, it all played out the way we expected and everyone was happy."
Experts say that the atmosphere of that 2003 Euroleague final at Palau Sant Jordi is one of the most incredible ever seen in European basketball. Barcelona had lost five Euroleague final before that game. How did your fans help you to win the title?
"I think it was essential, but not only in the final, since our semifinal game against CSKA Moscow was also a very tough game. Palau Sant Jordi was packed, supporting us and that was a major help. I agree that there was this kind of make-or-break atmosphere because there was a lot of pressure surrounding the team after all those Euroleague finals lost. That helped us to be even more motivated before the Euroleague final."
What did you feel when you lifted the Euroleague trophy in front of thousands of Barcelona fans at Palau Sant Jordi, finishing with almost two decades of broken dreams?
"The most important thing is that we were paid back for all the efforts we put in not only that year, but several seasons before. So many players and so many people worked hard to win the title and lifting that trophy meant a lot not only for all those people, but for all Barcelona fans everywhere. People, in a way, felt relieved, that was the general feeling. The jinx was finally broken and all Barcelona fans had what they deserved, even when they had deserved a Euroleague title for many years before that, too."
With you, Juan Carlos Navarro, Gregor Fucka, Sarunas Jasikevicius and Dejan Bodiroga possibly at the best moment of his amazing career, was that the best team you have played for?
"Without a doubt, there was a lot of talent and I don't know if it was the best, but is definitely one of the best. Title-wise, of course it is, because the 2002-03 season was the most successful one I had in all my years in Barcelona. Like I said, we underwent some bad moments throughout the season but we had a lot of talent and that helped us to win difficult games."
Now you and Fucka are playing together again with Bodiroga as your sports director. How does it feel to be back together? Do you talk sometimes about that 2003 Euroleague final?
"Yes, we talk about it from time to time because it was very special. I believe that talking with Gregor and Dejan about the time we spent in Barcelona has helped me a lot to feel really comfortable here in Rome. I am very happy to be here again with them."
After a decade playing for Barcelona, this week marks your first time back to Palau Blaugrana as a visitor, and Euroleague Basketball is honoring FC Barcelona for winning that 2003 title. How special will the game be for you?
"There are many emotions going into this game. I think that this is the most difficult game I will have to play in my entire career. Like you said, I have been in Barcelona for 10 years and I don't know how I will react. I am going to enjoy the experience because, after all, I am going back to Palau Blaugrana, which was my home for many years. I hope to enjoy myself as much as possible."
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Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Euroleague.net
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