Main interviews

Euroleague.net interview: Dimitris Diamantidis, Panathinaikos

Wed, 16 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In the history of European basketball, the 2007 Final Four at Athens Olympic Indoor Hall (OAKA) will be forever associated with victory by Panathinaikos and the role of Dimitris Diamantidis as MVP. On a night when all the world was watching and every shot was important - make or miss - Diamantidis had a near-perfect shooting performance as Panathinaikos dethroned previous champ CSKA 93-91. His 15 points were one reason for Diamantidis being voted MVP, but so was his singular specialty, the ball-hawking defense that has won him three consecutive Best Defender Trophy honors. Just as he has helped make defense into a feature that fans watch as intently as scoring, Diamantidis has opened up the MVP award to defensive players as perhaps no one before him. "I am a tool in a great basketball machine," Diamantidis told Euroleague.net. "I don't consider myself a star, I only think about being a dedicated player and a good professional."

Fantasy Challenge Winner interview: Jorge Martinez

Fri, 25 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

There was one big winner at Final Four weekend who went quite unnoticed by the majority of fans - even though he was very much one of them. Jorge Martinez, the 2006-07 Fantasy Challenge winner from Valencia, Spain, had the time of his life as Euroleague Basketball's VIP guest at Final Four weekend in Athens.

Euroleague.net interview: Zeljko Obradovic, Panathinaikos

Sun, 13 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

It is time to consider the obvious: we have before us, in the prime of his career, not merely Europe's most successful coach, past or present, but one of the all-time greats to ever sit on a basketball bench.

Final Four interview: Zeljko Obradovic, Panathinaikos

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

This season marks the end of the second full decade in which European clubs have been using the Final Four to decide a champion. More than half of those Final Fours have had Panathinaikos head coach Zeljko Obradovic as a protagonist. His debut appearance came as a player with Partizan at the very first Final Four in 1988.

Final Four interview: Bozidar Maljkovic, Tau Ceramica

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

When one of the most ambitious teams anywhere needed a new head coach to continue its already stellar Euroleague season, Tau Ceramica did not hesitate to call on Bozidar Maljkovic. He was not only the most successful coach available, but also the second-biggest winner of the entire Final Four era.

Final Four interview: Sergio Scariolo, Unicaja

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

If there is any coach who can teach his players about what a unique opportunity the Final Four represents, it is Sergio Scariolo of Unicaja. Despite performing at the top of his profession since 1990, when he became a head coach, the chance to live through a Final Four has come only once for him until now.

Final Four interview: Ettore Messina, CSKA Moscow

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

His team will remain champion until another is able to stop it - whether in the 2007 Final Four or beyond - and until that moment, CSKA Moscow head coach Ettore Messina is at the top of his profession, too.

Best defender interview: Dimitris Diamantidis, Panathinaikos

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Ever since the recognition of the Euroleague's best defensive player was made into an award and put in the hands of the competition's head coaches to decide, they have been clear for three consecutive springs as to whom that person is, Dimitris Diamantidis.

Final Four interview: Tiago Splitter, Tau Ceramica

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Not many 22- year-olds can say they count on experience going into the Final Four. But that is the case with Tau's Tiago Splitter. Confidence born of experience resonates in Splitter's words as he readies for his third straight Final Four.

Final Four interview: Kostas Tsartsaris, Panathinaikos

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Panathinaikos big man Kostas Tsartsaris may not fill up the box score as much as some of his teammates, his ability to stay calm and better his team have made him one of coach Zeljko Obradovic's most trusted players.

Final Four interview: Thomas Van Den Spiegel, CSKA Moscow

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Just 15 months ago, Thomas Van den Spiegel was in Italy on the end of his team's bench, but a call from CSKA to replace an injured player has changed his life and his career.

Final Four interview. Marcus Brown, Unicaja

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

When he walks on the floor at the Final Four in Athens, one player will be as hungry as any other to leave with a Euroleague title. Marcus Brown of Unicaja has not only earned his reputation as a supreme competitor, but is one of just two players in Euroleague history to surpass 2,000 points in his career.

Rising Star Trophy winner: Rudy Fernandez, DKV Joventut

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Already a world champion with Spain, Rudy Fernandez of Joventut needed something else to go along with his gold medal. Now, he's earned it by winning the post-season Rising Star Trophy in a vote of Euroleague head coaches.

Top Scorer interview: Igor Rakocevic, Tau Ceramica

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Tau Ceramic guard Igor Rakocevic has known success before, but this season will go down for him as one to remember. In addition to reaching his first Final Four, he finished the season as the third winner of the Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy.

Euroleague.net interview: April MVP, Ramunas Siskauskas, Panathinaikos

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

As it looked ahead last summer to the challenge of reaching the Final Four, there are plenty of good reasons why Panathinaikos chose swingman Ramunas Siskauskas among its primary reinforcements.