Ettore Messina: CSKA can win Euroleague this season
02.11.2004
Today afternoon Benetton came to Moscow. After the conversation with local journalists Italian team moved to the hotel to have a rest. In the evening they went to USH CSKA to have a 2-hour practice. Before it the head coach of Benetton Ettore Messina agreed to answer several questions.
Today afternoon Benetton came to Moscow. After the conversation with local journalists Italian team moved to the hotel to have a rest. In the evening they went to USH CSKA to have a 2-hour practice. Before it the head coach of Benetton Ettore Messina agreed to answer several questions:
Do you have some advantage because you played 8 games in national championship already and CSKA played only 4?
I don’t think that it is some kind of advantage. CSKA is the very strong team. And I don’t think that 2-3 additional games gives us some additional advantage.
What can you say about the roster of the army team this season?
It is very complete roster. They have 2 and sometimes 3 players on every position. They are probably the best team in Europe now. And they have one of the beast coaches – Dusan Ivkovic. CSKA is a very well organised team. And I think that they can to win Euroleague this season.
What can you say about your newcomers after 8 games?
We are still in the process to try to become the team. We have many ups and downs yet. For example Siskausak is an excellent player who helps us very much. All other players are very good players and peoples who are working extremly hard now. And I am sure that they will give us a very big help during this season.
Which of championships, on you opinion, is stronger – Italian or Russian?
I think that this year many good players moved to Russia, and this season is going to be very interesting. I think that now both of them are very strong.
Do you have some advantage because you played 8 games in national championship already and CSKA played only 4?
I don’t think that it is some kind of advantage. CSKA is the very strong team. And I don’t think that 2-3 additional games gives us some additional advantage.
What can you say about the roster of the army team this season?
It is very complete roster. They have 2 and sometimes 3 players on every position. They are probably the best team in Europe now. And they have one of the beast coaches – Dusan Ivkovic. CSKA is a very well organised team. And I think that they can to win Euroleague this season.
What can you say about your newcomers after 8 games?
We are still in the process to try to become the team. We have many ups and downs yet. For example Siskausak is an excellent player who helps us very much. All other players are very good players and peoples who are working extremly hard now. And I am sure that they will give us a very big help during this season.
Which of championships, on you opinion, is stronger – Italian or Russian?
I think that this year many good players moved to Russia, and this season is going to be very interesting. I think that now both of them are very strong.
