BC “Prometey” has overcome one third of the regular championship in both the EuroCup and the Latvian-Estonian league. The club is a sole leader in the LEBL. In the EuroCup It is in the middle of the tournament standings. So, the club press-service conversed with the head coach of “Prometey” Ronen Ginzburg about the certain interim conclusions in the new tournaments for the club, ongoing team affairs and on the topic of the war in Ukraine.

-Ronen, “Prometey” is leading in the Latvian-Estonian league so far, and is in the play-off zone of the EuroCup. Are you satisfied with the start of the season?

-I am satisfied with the result but I am not happy with some moments of our game. We can play better. We saw both our strengths and weaknesses. And the result is tolerable. In some games of the Latvian-Estonian league, we had certain problems, were close to defeat and even lost once. Of course, when we play two-three times a week, it may happen. For example, even the strongest Euroleague teams, such as “Barcelona” and other titans, when have a tough schedule, may concede to the weaker opponents in the national championship. Although, there is nothing good in it. That is game. That is why I consider our results to be good ones at this stage.

-You experienced the first acquaintance with two at once new tournaments for “Prometey”. Before the season started, you had told about a place in the TOP-4 – TOP-2 in the Latvian-Estonian league for “Prometey”. However, our team performs quite well in the LEBL; it seems, with great margin of safety even in the matches where opponents put up a decent resistance. Weren't those words of yours mostly complimentary with some part of coaching caution about future opponents? What do you think about it now?

-My thoughts about TOP-4 – TOP-2 haven’t changed. Let me explain why. Semi-final and final of the LEBL are played in a format of Final Four where everything resolves in one match. One play-off game may decide everything, no matter which place you were in at the regular championship. Thus, first of all, we have to go through the distance of the regular championship, everything will be decided in the play-off. There, we will fight for the title.

What do you think about the EuroCup format with a long group stage and one-game play-off? Wouldn't it be better to play the playoffs until 2-3 victories?

-The format is as it is and we cannot change it. If we win, it is a good format for us. If we lose, it means the competition system is not so good for us (smiling). To begin with, we have to go through the first stage successfully. That is the most important. After that, in the relegation matches, anything may happen. In the Latvian-Estonian league in Final Four, everything resolves in one game, which can be won or lost by the team. And this game decides everything.

-In your opinion, which format would be more suitable for “Prometey”, with one game or until a few wins in a series?

-First of all, I just want to reach the play-off stage. The difference is that when series is played until 2-4 victories, these matches demonstrate which team is actually better. When play-off consists of one game, any team may win. If we win, we will say this is perfect play-off format.
 

-In the three EuroCup games, “Prometey” had fewer rebounds than the opponent did. Isn’t the signing of James Dickey directly related to the desire to strengthen the team’s play in the fight under the backboards?

-Partly. James Dickey mainly has to improve our defense in both the EuroCup and the Latvian-Estonian league.

-Dickey has already played several matches in the LEBL. What can you say about him?

-It is too early for any assessment. We need to see him act in the EuroCup matches, then, we will be able to talk about it.

-Once, you said you are impressed with the coaching work of such specialists as Zelko Obradovic, David Blatt. Are there any specialists among your colleagues in the EuroCup whose work triggers your interest from a professional point of view? 

-Good specialists work in all EuroCup teams. I can name “Joventut”, which we have already played with. This team has very intelligent players. For sure, if coach has wise players, it much easier for him to work. “Joventut” has good coaches, good system. We have played against 6 teams so far, all these teams have marvellous coaches. However, I would single out exactly “Joventut”.

-Ronen, lately in interviews with players and coaches of Ukrainian teams, it is very difficult to avoid the topic of the war in Ukraine. You have already expressed your negative attitude towards the action of Russian Federation. At the same time, you noted that you are a positive person in life. Did you have any optimism in terms of Ukrainian prospects in this war during its first months? Do you have it now? 

-Yes, I am still optimistic about the victory of Ukraine. However, first of all I would like to express my great respect to the defenders of Ukraine, Ukrainian army, all Ukrainians who defend their land. If to draw an analogy with basketball, those things Ukrainians are doing now are as if “Prometey” would defeat “Los-Angeles Lakers”. It is unbelievable how Ukraine is fighting with gigantic Russia. Endless respect to Ukrainians. I follow the situation, how these Russian inhumans terrorise civilian population. We experienced this in Israel, where our enemy in the same way shot at civilians because was not able to fight with our army. Exactly the same in Ukraine now. Russians have problems in the confrontation with Ukrainian army; therefore, they put pressure on civilian population. I am convinced that Ukraine will win in the end. However, until that time, civilians will have loads of problems, will live without electricity and other necessary things. In the end, for sure, Ukraine will win, but the way to the victory will take some time.
 

Ukrainian Army has significant success in last 2-3 months. Does it affect positively psychological condition of the players, first of all, Ukrainians? Whether it helps in the team’s daily rutine?

-I don’t speak a lot with Ukrainian players on this topic as I know how hard for them to talk about it, it is very painful topic for all Ukrainians. All along my work in “Prometey I can say that Ukrainian players are warriors. They were like this even before the full-scale war. Of course, they see how their army is fighting. And for sure, they cannot help but fight on the basketball court, give all their strength, first of all, as part of Ukrainian national team. I don’t know exactly what kind of influence news from Ukraine have on them, I don’t talk with them about it. It is something that everyone feels deeply inside the soul.