May 24, 2012
Quarterfinal analyst: Drago Pasalic, iurbentia Bilbao
Drago Pasalic - iurbentia Bilbaoiurbentia Bilbao Basket has been unstoppable in the Eurocup this season, winning its regular season and Last 16 groups to match the competition's best overall record. Its main strength has been a rock-solid core of players in which everyone feels important. Drago Pasalic, one of the three Croatian players in the team, knows Bilbao's quaterfinal opponent, Zadar, very well. Pasalic has averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds in 11 Eurocup games this season, being a key part of Bilbao's puzzle. He is also the right person to analyze Zadar, a team he has faced many times during his years playing for Split.

Bilbao Basket is in good shape lately, with big wins against Lietuvos Rytas in the Eurocup, as well as against Real Madrid and Tau Ceramica in the Spanish League. Can you keep that momentum going all the way to Turin?

"We have been in good shape throughout the season and it is paying off right now, both in the Eurocup and in the Spanish League. We have a lot of confidence after these wins you just mentioned. The hard part is to keep this confidence to do well in the Final Eight".

Being Croatian, you know Zadar very well and played against them many times. Which are their bigger strengths?

"First of all, Zadar is seen as the underdog in this Final Eight but I think in a make-or-break kind of tournament like this is, anybody can win any game. Zadar will be a very tough opponent. They have a lot of talent, some good young players but also experienced ones used to games like this. I have no doubt about it - it is going to be a tough game."

You probably know a lot about some of their players. Which are their key players and what problems do they present?

"Of course, I know Damir Rancic and Hrvoje Peric very well. I played with them in Split for many years. They are some other dangerous guys like Rok Stipcevic or Jere Macura that I also know very well. Todor Gecevski has been there for many years and has the experience and talent required for a game like this. I know them pretty well, they are a good team and they will have a lot of people going to Torino to see them: Zadar fans live for basketball. Just like us, this is one of the biggest things that has happened for that club in recent years, especially in Europe. Zadar will be ambitious and try to beat us."

Bilbao has three Croatian players in the team, not only you, but Marko Banic and Damir Markota. Is it an advantage?

"Yes, because because we all have played against or for Zadar many times. We can tell our teammates about their players and what to expect. Even with that, I think this will help, but like I told you, it all comes down to one game. You can never scout a team so well to avoid surprises. Zadar will be tough to beat."

What does iurbentia have to do to overcome Zadar? What will be the keys to the game for your team?

"I think we are a better team than Zadar in general terms. If we play the way we did in the last couple of weeks and play the game that we know we can play - sharing the ball, keeping our defense at a very high level - we can beat just about anybody, not just Zadar or Tau Ceramica. We have to see in which shape we will arrive to Turin. We hope we will be ready for the tournament."
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Euroleague.net
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