Stefan Markovic, Benetton Bwin
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 Few players can set career records in a statistical category by age 22, but Stefan Markovic of Benetton Bwin is one of them. In his fifth Eurocup season, Markovic is a young veteran that sits atop the all-time Eurocup assists table with 211. What is even more important, Markovic has the chance to keep dishing assists at the 2011 Eurocup Finals, in which Benetton has a chance to lift the trophy in front of many of its fans in Treviso, Italy. Markovic already played the Eurocup semifinals with Hemofarm Stada in 2009 and hopes to use that experience to do even better this season. It will not be an easy task, as Benetton faces Cajasol, the only team able to beat the Italian powerhouse so far in the Eurocup this season. If Benetton can get two more wins, it will lift its first continental trophy since 1999. Markovic is fully aware of the history, as he told us in this Eurocupbasketball.com. "Of course, it has been a long time since the club last won a European title. Not only that, winning the Eurocup would give Benetton the chance to return to the Euroleague," Markovic told Eurocupbasketball.com. "It is a big challenge for everyone in the team."
Hello Stefan. How has the Eurocup season been so far for Benetton Bwin until now?
"It has been a pretty successful season for us until now. We have lost just one game, on the road against Cajasol. I believe we have done a good job so far, but we still have two more games to play - the most important ones. We will try to do our best to win these two games and win the Eurocup title."
You play the semifinal against Cajasol, a team you already played against. What do you like about them?
"They are a tough opponent, especially since their point guard Earl Calloway returned to the team after an injury. He is a very good player and very important for his team. They have a nice mix of experienced guys and young talent. It is going to be a tough game. We split wins earlier this season, but I am sure this will be a very different game."
The Eurocup Finals take place at the Palaverde. Does that give you an extra advantage or is it even more pressure?
"Well, I wouldn't say that the Eurocup Finals are exactly home games. The whole gym will not be full of Benetton fans and a lot of people will come from other countries. Of course, it is still an advantage to play at home because it will be our gym, with our rims and everything we are used to. Even with that, I don't think playing at home is that important. Maybe we will have extra pressure because everyone may think we must win at home. That may be the only extra pressure for playing at Palaverde."
What are the keys to beating Cajasol again?
"I think that defense will be the biggest key against them. When we play good defense, we usually win, as we get a lot of opportunities to score easy points. We are a young team that likes to run and play in transition. If we play good defense and manage to control the boards, we will have a very good chance to win the game."
You are the Eurocup's all-time assists leader. How did you become such a good passer?
"First, it is a great honor to lead the Eurocup in assists. I am a young player, but this is already my fifth Eurocup season. I am very proud of that. I like to share the ball and give assists - that is the way I play. I wouldn't say I have special skills, just I play like that."
 We spoke about Calloway, but Cajasol also relies on tall playmaker Tomas Satoransky. What do you think about him?
"Not only have I played against him this season, but also two or three years ago. He is a good point guard, a physical player that is growing up really fast. With Calloway also at point guard, Cajasol is definitely deep at that spot, with experience and youth at the same time. It is going to be a tough challenge for me."
You played the Eurocup semifinals with Hemofarm Stada two years ago. You guys had beaten Dynamo Moscow, but lost against Lietuvos Rytas. How was that experience?
"Well, it was a great experience. We managed to beat Dynamo, which was the favorite to win the Eurocup that season, but could not beat Lietuvos Rytas in the semifinal. It was great being there, because nobody expected us to beat Dynamo. We played hard, had nothing to lose and managed to win the game. I was really young and starting for Hemofarm. It helped me to play at a better level."
This is your first season in Treviso. How do you like being here and playing for Benetton?
"I like it in here. It is a positive experience for me. I used to live in a small city, Vrsac in Serbia, and it is great to be here. The club is an excellent basketball organization. It took me a while to adapt to the new systems and a new lifestyle. The atmosphere is very good, our fans are excited about the Eurocup Finals and I hope it will be a great event for them and the city."
Last but not least, Benetton has the chance to win its first Eurocup title since 1999. How special would it be to win the trophy in Treviso?
"Of course, that would be a great success for the club. Like you said, it has been a long time since the club last won a European title. Not only that, winning the Eurocup would give Benetton the chance to return to the Euroleague. It is a big challenge for everyone in the team."
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Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Javier Gancedo, Eurocupbasketball.com
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