 Unics Kazan opened the Eurocup season with a record-breaking performance, using a rain of 20 three-pointers - two more than any team in the Eurocup's seven-year history - to down visiting Besiktas Cola Turka in their Group D opener last week. Almost half of those triples flew from the gifted hands of one player, Marko Popovic, a young veteran who is poised to take his club to a new level. Popovic's 9 shots from downtown against Besiktas matched not only the Eurocup record, but the most triples made in that competition or the Euroleague all decade. A well-rounded veteran at age 27, Popovic played the original Eurocup season with Zadar in 2002-03 before becoming a Euroleague player for the next five years. He arrived in Kazan in summer 2008 and helped the club takes its second trophy ever, the Russian Cup, last spring. Now, along with veteran Saulius Stombergas - whose 9 for 9 triples in a Euroleague game in 2001 still stands as the single best shooting display all decade - Popovic hopes to lead Unics to greater heights this season in the Eurocup. "We were one step away from making it to the Final Eight last season, but lost a key game at home against Zadar," Popovic told Eurocupbasketball.com. "We want to show everyone in the competition that we deserved to do better last season - and the best way to do that is to make it happen this year."
Marko, congratulations on the big win against Besiktas. Unics set a new Eurocup record with 20 three-pointers and you downed 9 of those, tying a record, too. How was that special night for you and your team?
"Well, a lot of players I have been with in the last years say that basketball is not what it used to be. People used to have more fun on the court and complain about how much they used to enjoy playing basketball. I have to thank my teammates for helping me to tie that record. I am really proud of that, but it wouldn't mean anything if we had lost the game. Our one and only goal is to keep winning at home, and if we steal any road wins, even better."
Speaking of three-pointers, Unics took 43 attempts in 40 minutes against Besiktas. Can we expect Unics to keep up that shooting rhythm in upcoming Eurocup games?
"I must say that Besiktas played zone most of the game, giving us more space beyond the arc, so in a way, we have to thank them for the chance to set the record. Unfortunately for them, we were knocking down the shots and felt really comfortable on the court. As for the near future, we came off a home game in which we took 12 or 13 three-point shots, so it kind of depends on each game. We have to play smart, read the game and do our best. This was an exceptional situation and this is why we took so many three-point shots. We can play run-and-gun basketball, but always with good defense, which is the key for any winning team."
 Your regular season group is arguably one of the toughest. Just two teams between Unics, DKV Joventut, Telekom Baskets Bonn and Besiktas will survive after six games. What's your opinion of this group?
"It is definitely a tough group, if not the toughest one. There is also another - with Hapoel, Zadar, Aris and Siauliai - that is also difficult, but I believe that our group is the strongest one. It is going to be really tough to make it through, but if we want to reach the Eurocup Finals, you have to keep winning against big teams, so the sooner the better. The key, like I said, is to be really strong at home and every road win will mean double for us."
Unics managed to bring Saulius Stombergas out of retirement. How does it feel to play with such an experienced fellow sharpshooter?
"Definitely, Saulius is one of the best shooters I have ever played with. I can only name six or seven players of his level that I played with - Marcus Brown, Dino Radja, Arijan Komazec, Dejan Tomasevic, Fabricio Oberto and Antoine Rigaudeau. Those are the top players I had as teammates and Saulius belongs to that level. It is great to have him on the team, even if it is for just 10 or 15 minutes, as much time as he can play. He helps a lot on the court and never lost that passion for basketball. I feel really, really confident when he is on the court."
As two of the four players to hit 9 three-pointers in a game this decade, does that make you and Saulius the best shooting tandem that you saw seen?
"Well, it is good to be with him on the team and just mentioning my name along Saulius means a lot for me. I respect him a lot and above all, he is a great guy. Not only he is a great player, but also respects everyone, and I really like that. I believe we can make some good things happen together this season."
This is your second season in Kazan, which now has a Champions League and a Eurocup team in the city. How much do you enjoy playing for Unics in the Eurocup?
"I signed a two-year contract with Unics even when I wanted to stay in the Euroleague. It is the best league in Europe, but I am really happy to be in the Eurocup. It is good to be part of this league in a top team like Unics, with the chance to break records - well, tie them. It is a big challenge for me, even when I try to compete in any competition I play in. The Eurocup is a high-level competition and I have to be happy to play it this season."
Unics missed last season's Eurocup Final Eight after losing twice to your original team, Zadar, in the Last 16. You, Vladimir Veremeenko, Kresimir Loncar, Terrell Lyday are back this season. Are you motivated by just missing last season to do more in the 2009-10 Eurocup?
"Of course, no question about that. I definitely agree. We were one step away from making it to the Final Eight but lost a key game at home against Zadar. I don't to make any alibi because the game came two days after winning the Russian Cup, but Zadar played a good game and deserved to win. We want to show everyone in the competition that we deserved to do better last season - and the best way to do that is to make it happen this year."
 You are an original Eurocup player, having played the first season with Zadar back in 2002-03. Can you compare the competition from its first season to now?
"It improved a lot. Back in the day, everything was down, but the competition has settled down pretty well. The organization is much better and the competition improved every year, just as the Euroleague does. The Eurocup is an attractive competition to play and it will be even better this season. I am very comfortable in the Eurocup."
Only one Croatian player - Marko Tomas with Real Madrid in 2007 - has won the Eurocup. What would it mean for you and for Unics to lift the Eurocup trophy and reach the Euroleague next season?
"It would mean a lot to us, especially since this is still a young club that has been going on for about 20 years since it was created. It would be a great achievement for us, the club and the city. Records are out there to be beaten and we already broke one in our first game this season. We all hope something much better happens for this club."
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