Final Eight interview: Antonis Fotsis, Dynamo Moscow
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When it comes to ULEB Cup results, Dynamo Moscow power forward Antonis Fotsis sets the bar high. In just his third ULEB Cup season, Fotsis has a chance to reach his third final, a feat unmatched by anyone else. Fotsis has been a key part of his team’s success in each of those previous runs, helping Real Madrid to the 2004 final and lifting the trophy with Dynamo in 2006. He is only 3 points away from scoring his 500th in the competition and ranks among the top 10 all-time in both rebounds and blocked shots. Only 27 years old, Fotsis boasts plenty of big-game experience to help Dynamo prepare for the Final Eight. In addition to his two ULEB Cup Finals, Fotsis won the Euroleague as a teenager with Panathinaikos in 2000. Fotsis has also been a European champion and runner-up at the world championships with the Greek national team. With all that success, it’s easy to see why Fotsis would be so calm and prepared for the Final Eight. In this ULEBcup.com interview, Fotsis talks about his season with Dynamo, what it’s like to live in Moscow and looks ahead to the Final Eight. “What I can be certain about is that the most capable team will win the trophy in Italy,” a confident Fotsis told ULEBcup.com, adding “I am optimistic that we can return home with the ULEB Cup trophy.”
Hello, Antonis and congratulations on a fine season so far. First of all, how has been the season for you and for Dynamo Moscow?
“I think that the season has been quite good so far, since we accomplished our initial goal to qualify for the ULEB Cup Final Eight. A month ago, we missed the opportunity to fight for the Russian Cup by losing in the semifinals, but life goes on and we have to get our selves ready for a new target. We faced some problems here and there, but now we are at a point where we have to be focused on winning the ULEB Cup.”
Your team didn't have much trouble to down Asco Slask and Lukoil Academic in the elimination rounds. You guys made it look easy, but was it as easy as it looked?
“There are no easy games or opponents, but our good performances made those games look easier. We managed to beat Asco Slask and Lukoil Academic in all four games we played. We were really effective and were never seriously threatened by our opponents in the elimination rounds.”
Dynamo will now face another Polish team, PGE Turow, one of the biggest surprises in the ULEB Cup this season. What do you know about the team and what do you have to do to beat them in the quarterfinals?
“I would be liar if I claimed that I knew many things about PGE Turow. They are a good team and definitely they deserve to be among the top eight teams in the competition. They fought hard to eliminate CEZ Nymburk and they had a huge win at BC Kyiv that helped them get the ticket to Turin. We have to be really focused and play seriously to get the win and make it to the semis.”
You have been to two different ULEB Cup finals, in 2004 with Real Madrid and in 2006 with Dynamo Moscow. How have you seen the development of the competition in terms of playing level and competition system?
“The biggest difference is the competition system. Until 2007, there was single game final, but now the teams have to play three times to reach the trophy. It is not my first time in a Final Eight format, since I have participated in the Spanish 'Copa del Rey' with Real Madrid. What I can be certain about is that the most capable team will win the trophy in Italy. As for the development of the competition level, I can say that things become tougher every season and many of these teams could have a place in the Euroleague.”
Last season, Dynamo had Lazaros Papadopoulos in the middle as its main offensive reference. This season, Dynamo has opted to open the floor and get players like Travis Hansen and Henry Domercant involved. As a power forward who can take the three-point shot, has head coach Svetislav Pesic helped you to feel more confident in the team?
“I’ve been confident at every team that I have played at. The coaches know what to expect from me and Coach Pesic, who has great experience, allows me to show what I can do for the team without cutting me down. I am pleased at Dynamo and I am optimistic that we can return home with the ULEB Cup trophy.”
You have already won a ULEB Cup title with Dynamo. Nobody has won two ULEB Cup titles in the competition’s history. What would it mean for you to win it all again with Dynamo?
“Winning the ULEB Cup one more time with Dynamo Moscow would mean a lot to me, since that is our biggest goal for the season. Getting a ticket to the Euroleague means so much for my club, so I would be proud as well. As for the second title, I would say that when you have opportunities like these in professional sports, you shouldn't let them get away. That 's what I am thinking right now.”
Not everybody adjusts easily to life in Moscow, but you have found a second home there. How comfortable do you feel in Moscow and how important has Dynamo been to your career?
“Without a doubt, Dynamo is a very important chapter of my career. I’m now in my third season with the club and honestly, I have no problem to live in Moscow. Okay, the majority of the players talk about the cold weather, but the cold lasts for only two months, while the climate for the rest time is pretty much the same as other European cities. Everybody needs some time to adjust, but after three years, I am fine here.”
Dynamo is one of the top candidates to lift the ULEB Cup trophy this season and you are a natural-born winner. Who will be your biggest opponents in the Final Eight and how dangerous can be to be one of the favorites?
“I know people consider my team as one of the top candidates to win the trophy, but all eight teams are capable of winning it all and becoming the champions. I pay respect to all of them and right now, I don’t want to label any of them as the most dangerous, since any prediction can collapse.”
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Monday, April 07, 2008
ULEBCup.com
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