ULEBcup.com interview: Zoran Erceg, BC FMP
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BC FMP has exceeded even its own expectations by reaching the ULEB Cup semifinals this season and it couldn't have done so without the outstanding play of big man Zoran Erceg. The 22-year-old has taken advantage of every opportunity coach Vlada Vukoicic has given him and has risen to the occasion when it mattered most. Two of Erceg's best games have come in the elimination rounds, including a 21-point, eight-rebound effort in the first leg of the semifinals last week against Lietuvos Rytas. Heading into the deciding semifinal leg with an 11-point deficit to make up at home, Erceg talked to ULEBcup.com about what the competition means to him and his club. "The ULEB Cup is so important because it is the opportunity for several teams from my country to play in Europe," Erceg told ULEBcup.com. "Some people say that the ULEB Cup is not so hot as the Euroleague, but I think the differences are in the nuances."
Congratulations on a great season thus far. FMP has made it to the semifinals for the second time and you are a key contributor to that success. Does what you and FMP have done so far meet what you expected from this season?
"Before the start of the season we marked our goal in the ULEB Cup – to reach the second phase. We knew that a lot of key players left the club and we are the only team in the competition without foreign players. Later, we eliminated Gran Canaria and Hapoel Migdal. I think the success came as a result of our hard work."
Despite being on and off for FMP over four years, you entered the season with just 4 minutes of the ULEB Cup experience. How did you have the confidence to perform so well from the start?
 "Yes, that's right. I almost forgot those 4 minutes I played before in the ULEB Cup. Last season I was injured and ill and that is the reason I missed lot of games. At the end of the season, I played several good games and national team head coach Dragan Sakota called me to be one of the 15 candidates for the world championships in Japan. Later my FMP coach Vlada Vukoicic gave me credit at the beginning of 2006-07 season. All I had to do was to pay him back with good performances."
Both you and Dragan Labovic stepped up once Dusko Savanovic left the team right before this season. Both of you are modern power forwards, able to run the floor and take outside shots. How does it feel to play with Dragan?
"We two are a great couple. I can play both positions – power forward and center – and Dragan is a pure power forward. But it's not just the two of us, there are three of us. Don't forget Predrag Samardziski, who is growing into an extraordinary player."
FMP is the only team to play in all five editions of the ULEB Cup. Everyone - fans, players and the club management - have seen how the competition developed. How important is the ULEB Cup for FMP and what do you think about the competition?
"The ULEB Cup is so important because it is the opportunity for several teams from my country to play in Europe. Some people say that the ULEB Cup is not so hot as the Euroleague, but I think the differences are in the nuances. Last year Dynamo won the the ULEB Cup and what happened later? Dynamo showed its potential in the Euroleague by being one of the strongest teams so far."
In last week's first semifinal game against Lietuvos Rytas in Vilnius, you had 21 points and 8 rebounds but FMP lost by 11. In the rematch, what must you guys do to reach the final?
 "First of all we have to play defense like we did in Vilnius in the second half. But not like we did it there in last minute of the game when we made some mistakes that cost us 4 or 5 points. We must also have a much better free-throw shooting percentage. And we are hoping that we shoot much better from long distance. But our defense is the key. In Vilnius, we were sleeping in second quarter and that cost us 32 points."
If you look back, players like Bojan Popovic, Ognjen Askrabic, Marko Marinovic and Goran Nikolic did well at FMP before joining big European clubs outside the country. FMP always sees its best players leave, but stays competitive. What, in your opinion, is the secret of this team?
"FMP launches four or five fresh players each year. That is the result of our scouting team. Our director Rasa Radovanovic leads that team, together with Nebojsa Covic, who is the creator of each FMP success. The club handles young talented players with patience. That is the only secret. Everyone has the gym, coaches and young players. But it is only FMP that has Radovanovic and Covic and other great people too."
What would it mean for the club to make it to the ULEB Cup final and have the chance to challenge for the title?
"That would be real great success for the club and for Serbian basketball too. If we reach the final game and face Real Madrid, that might mean that Serbia could have two teams in the Euroleague next season."
Some of the best scouts and coaches around say you have all the values that made a lot of former Yugoslavian players become superstars. What would you highlight about your own game and who were your heroes growing up?
 "I look to the future each and every day. But if I look back, there were people who helped me a lot when I was learning basketball. First of all, Stojko Plakov and Aleksandar Nicetin, who coached me at Novi Becej where I started to play. Later I learned a lot from Milovan Stepandic at Borac Cacak and Vlade Djurovic and Vlada Vukoicic in FMP. I never had idols or such. Everything I made is the result of hard work. If I didn't miss almost the whole 2005-06 season, I could be a much better player now."
Well, the future is brighter than ever for you after this breakout season. What can we expect from Zoran Erceg from now on?
"I see my future with FMP. The near future. I don't think about life after FMP. That is my motto – live for another day. When the time comes, I might became a part of some famous club abroad, but who knows what another day brings?"
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Thursday, March 15, 2007
Aca Ostojic, Belgrade
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