BC Nokia – Basketball Champions League Qualifying – preview
Another season sees its first competitive games for Finnish teams – as last years Korisliiga champions BC Nokia have headed to Turkey to play at the BCL qualifying tournament. BC Nokia is in ‘Tournament 1’ in Antalya – with their opening game vs Rilski Sportist and win from that would take them to play SL Benfica in the semi-final. To get the to the Regular season – IF they win their opening two games, they would then face the winner of the other half of the draw Norrköping Dolphins, BC Sabah or Fribourg Olympic.
You can watch the Rilski Sportist vs BC Nokia on the Basketball Champions League YouTube channel from 14.00 (Finland time) .. so make sure to time your LONG lunch break correctly today!
On paper and first glance you look at the team and go ‘ yes, that looks like a draw the you could proceed through from… ‘ but – this is early in the season, there are stand-out players in all of the teams that can easily catch fire in a single game .. so nothing is certain apart from the fact that things are uncertain.
With the game about two hours from tip-off and the team ready to leave from the team hotel to the Arena.. let’s hear from coach Gibson and from the players Max Besselink .. what are their thoughts ahead of the game and Rilski Sportist.
COACH GIBSON
Q : BC Nokia in the BCL qualifying tournament in Antalya, with what sort of expectations are you heading into the tournament and the first game?
A : Obviously, we want to do well. It has been a rather rushed pre-season with more setbacks to players than anticipated. However, we are using this week to get better regardless of the outcomes.
Q : Opponents, already, at the qualifying stages are pretty high level teams these days, how do you see the chances of BC Nokia this season and teams from Korisliiga in general at the BCL level (considering budgets, etc)?
A : If we can play together and defend hard, we will have a chance. Of course our budget is what it is but we really don’t care. Our guys know that this is a great opportunity and we want to do our best. Of course bigger budgeted teams have a longer preseason which helps but a shorter time to prepare like we have had kind of forces players to gel more quickly.
Q : Your preseason in Finland had two games – did they teach the coaches and players enough of what needs to be improved to get the opening win in Antalya?
A : Actually had 3 games (Heidelberg, Karhu and Kataja). With many new guys, these games definitely give Aleksi (Koskinen) and I time to evaluate and gives us a short
list of things to improve on.
Q : You also had some very unfortunate injury news with Hugo Boman missing the whole season – BUT you found a different kind of replacement rather quickly – with as experienced player do you hope Antti Kanervo is fully ready in the opening game in Turkey?
A : We have had terrible injuries especially Hugo. He was one of our most consistent players this preseason then Wham! Very sad for him but I know he will come back stronger. Antti will help us in Turkey for sure even with limited practice time. His experiences especially internationally can help guide our younger players for sure.
Q : In general terms, how important do you see it for Finnish Basketball that the Korisliiga champions will take part in the BCL qualifiers and then possibly in the Fiba EuropeCup. And have you personally noticed it helping you recruit a different caliber of a player this season and has there been more offers of players to you from agents?
A : Very important that Finnish teams participate in Euro games. Of course it can help with recruiting but also to play against other top level teams from throughout Europe…it can only help. Plus if you are successful, it gives the league another check mark.
Q : And lastly lets turn our eyes on the opening game vs Rilski Sportist, what are the key areas in that game that you and your players have to get right in order to get the W and move onwards in the competition?
A : Rilski Sportist is a very good, well rounded and deep team. They have a skilled Croatian big (Planinic) that we will need to pay close attention to and PG Rideau is a leader. Very similar players that want to play fast and physical. We must be faster and really take care of the basketball. Finding the energy especially in the 4th period will be critical too!
Thank you coach Gibson and good luck in the opening game!
MAX BESSELINK :
Max took time at the team hotel to shoot a quick video to talk about the game on Tuesday and talk about how the preparations have gone for the game, what type of a game is he expecting and what are the key areas to succeed in today to get a win!
