Here's hoping!

May 17, 2012

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Here's hoping!

Thomas Kelati - Power Electronics Valencia

Are you ready for the Eurocup Finals? I can't wait, myself. My name is Thomas Kelati and I play for Power Electronics Valencia. We'll be in Vitoria before you know it, getting ready for what I hope is a championship weekend colored orange. It's a little hard to believe, because this has been a strange season for me. I signed very late for the team and had to adjust to a new role. Now, I can look back and say without doubt that it's has been all for the better. In fact, I think I am one of the luckiest guys around. I played for Unicaja in Malaga, Spain last season in the Euroleague, and this year I in Valencia and the Eurocup. Those have to be two of the top five or so places that players want to play and live, with the competition and the sun and beaches and the lifestyle. My wife and family love it here in Valencia. They wouldn't mind staying, I know that. If it came down to just lifestyle, they wouldn't mind me signing here for the rest of my career!

But what I love most about right now is that we are competing well, and that's what we'll be doing this weekend to try to take home the Eurcoup trophy. I love to play in these kinds of European competitions. Of course, all of us want to be in the Euroleague, which is another step up, basketball-wise. But I can tell you, the Eurocup is right there behind it. It a great competition, with great teams we played against, a smooth organization. I had experience in Poland with Turow reaching the Final Eight of this competition a couple years ago. I think I know what it takes to be on a winning team. The semifinals are the furthest I have ever gone in European competition, and I am thrilled to have a chance to take this trophy.

I'm saying all this even though it has been a difficult year for me, personally. This was a completely new situation for me, coming onto a team late for the first time, almost three months into the season. I didn't know what to expect and arrived just wanting to get a feel for things. They were having success already without me, so I tried to come here, find a role and take my time doing that. The coaches were patient with me and my teammates accepted me really well. So the situation was smooth, even though personally my own play wasn't what I wanted. Coming off the bench was new to me, so it took me three or four months to finally get in the groove. Now, I think that I am finally blossoming and playing well.

I hope that my contribution gives our team a chance to succeed in Vitoria. Even before that happens, however, I have to thank our coach and management for putting a great group of guys together. Ask me and I'll tell anyone that after five years in Europe, this Valencia team has by far the most chemistry of any team I have played on yet. If we do something, it's 10 or 11 guys deep every time, and it shows on the court. We don't have great experience, we have the youth thing working against us, but despite that, it's been good. That mix of youth and veterans is coming together and we're getting the job done.

POSTED BY

THOMAS KELATI - VALENCIA, SPAIN

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