Player analysis: DKV Joventut vs. Allianz Swans Gmunden
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DKV Joventut vs. Allianz Swans Gmunden
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Ferran Laviña, DKV Joventut
 A defensive ace that always gives 101% on court, but a soft-spoken person with tons of game knowledge off court, Ferran Laviña of DKV Joventut is the right man to talk to about his team's amazing run in the competition and the upcoming Last 32 series against Allianz Swans Gmunden. IN his debut ULEB Cup season, Laviña has already helped Joventut lift the Spanish King's Cup trophy last week. Now, he hopes to help Joventut move in the direction of the ULEB Cup trophy. "We have to be happy about our season so far. We have been playing well throughout the regular season and finished it with the second-best record in the entire competition. We cannot ask for much more, we played some good games along the way and our fans were backing us at home. We have played really well."
"We are considered the favorite in our series against Gmunden and that is what comes with being the second-best team in the regular season. We play the second leg at home and even when though when Gmunden is relatively unknown, we have to respect them very much because we may have problems if we don't. We are fully aware that we must advance to the next round, but we have to show that on the court. There are many teams that have made big mistakes in the past by underestimating their opponents. We have to be focused, try to win both games and think about the next round."
"This competition allowed all our players to see a lot of playing time. We were able to work well, complementing the work we did in the Spanish League, and it allowed us to improve as a team. I believe that the ULEB Cup has allowed all our players to feel important at some point and we all have played at a good level. I am happy with my own season, as I have been shooting better than in the Spanish League, but I am even more satisfied with our work as a team." |
Deteri Mayes, Allianz Swans Gmunden
 The second-best scorer in the ULEB Cup regular season, Deteri Mayes of Swans Gmunden, is remarkable for more than just leading an Austrian team to the elimination rounds for the first time. Mayes has spent his entire pro career at Gmunden, staying for eight seasons so far, the same as four of his teammates. Two others are in their fifth seasons with the club, guaranteeing that if team loyalty counts, the Swans will continue to be a threat in their ULEB Cup debut. "For us, it's going to be exciting. We are definitely a big, big underdog, but the way I look at it, if we're going to draw anyone, let's draw someone like Badalona. If we're going to be an underdog, let's be the biggest one possible. We'll play against the best and see how the experience goes." 
"We feel great about being in this round. Before the season started, our goal was to win one or two games and be able compete in the others. To accomplish that would have been enough for us. But all of a sudden, in the first two games, were able somehow to win, even on road in Israel against Galil. That gave us confidence, and when we won the second home game against the Swiss team, we were riding high, believing we can do something. Reality came in soon and we lost three to tough teams. But we found the strength to win three of last four and advance. For us, it's a great accomplishment"
"It's scary for us to even know that in less than a week we're going to face those guys. We know they have championship-quality players all across the board. But we reached our goal, and to be honest, if we can get past these guys, we can get past anyone. I'd definitely say that the winner between us and them will be champions of the ULEB Cup." |
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Friday, February 08, 2008
ULEBCup.com
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