Although, that Georgian national team earned a great sympathy of fans and professionals by playing beautiful and dignified match especially against Poland, Croatia and Slovenia, the majority of Georgian fans were unhappy with the result. It is understandable – despite interesting and combative game, Georgian team could not use the chance of going out of the group. But, there is an opposite opinion that the team was not able to do more.
Nikoloz Deriugin, the legendary basketball player, former player of “Dinamo” Tbilisi, USSR and Georgian team, World and Europe champion, thinks differently. He is in Slovenia since September 7 and he paid attention to the matches of Georgian team against Slovenia, Czech Republic and Spain.
I talked to him after the match against Slovenia and he agreed on the interview after the end of the game against Spain, on September 9.
- Mr. Nikoloz! How would you estimate the competition of our team in Eurobasket?
- I watched the matches against Poland and Croatia on TV, in Tbilisi, and other 3 matches in Celje. I have said it many times, that Georgian team has a very good, interesting and experienced basketball players today. I think that, Georgian team could show better results in EuroBasket with such talented players.
-Yes, but there were not traumatized Pachulia and Shengelia. Besides this, did the referees oppress us against Croatia and especially against Slovenia?
-Referees almost always help the host team of EuroBasket and more titled teams, than talented and not titled teams like us. That’s why, we should not be surprised, the coaches should train the team such, that they could use existed composition and situation maximally and rationally. Not going out from the group is not a blame of referees. Despite of everything, our team was able to win against Croatia and Slovenia.
It’s true, that absence of Zaza Pachulia and Tornike Shengelia was a big loss for our team but the team has really good staff and in my opinion, the coaches do not fully use their potential.
- What do you mean? What should coaches change?
- First of all, I am very surprised why experienced Nika Tskitishvili was not allowed play more? Why do not they use Nika Metreveli and Duda Sanadze? The last meeting with Spain, showed us, that Tskitishvili and Metreveli are in a good form, that Sanadze joined the game well and he was not worrying...
The team was playing with 6-7 players in the first matches. It goes without saying, that the boys were tired, because the matches were almost every day. In such circumstances, it is not clear less playing of tskitishvili and Metreveli.
Also it is not clear, why did not coaches let tired players to rest – everybody knows that 2-3 minutes rest is good for players. Why did not coaches ask for time-outs in a difficult moments. When the team get minus 10 points in 3-5 minutes, time-out is needed...
And one more – We were able to play with a different tactic against Slovenia and Czech.
- Mr.Nikoloz! But our team has clearly surpassed Poland and played equal to Croatia and Slovenia!
-Yes, it’s true, but it was possible to win at least one game of these two matches with right and rational tactic. Now, there are good and experienced players in the team. Unfortunately, the coaches could not use their potential well. It is necessary to use them more effective.
...I finished talking with Nikoloz Deriugin. I have not seen him such sad and angry for a long time... perhaps, some experts do not share his views about Eurobasket and coaches. In general, it is necessary to discuss such issues with professionals, coaches, journalists, veterans and active basketball players. It is necessary to analyze what should be done for achieving better results in future. Because, going through the final stage of EuroBasket, beautiful and dignified game, does not satisfy our fans and basketball world...
Tengiz Pachkoria, Celje, Slovenia, especially for www.worldsport.ge-Tvis
Photo by Khatuna Gabitashvili
EuroBasket-2013 is presented by online bookmaker TBILISIBET.COM and Spanish sports clothing manufacturer Joma
