The coach of Dreamland Gran Canaria addressed the press before the upcoming match against Besiktas, asserting that “all players are available for selection, except for Carlos Alocén, who underwent surgery yesterday. The operation was successful, and he has started his recovery countdown.” He also noted that “Žiga Samar cannot be included in the Eurocup roster,” the Slovenian pointed out.
Regarding the team’s morale, the head coach expressed that “the squad is doing well. We are aware that results have not gone our way, with five consecutive losses. However, I maintain that each match offers a unique perspective, and I believe that the games against Barça and Tenerife present a different narrative compared to the others.” He added, “Our goal is not to dwell on the standings; instead, we are preparing for each encounter with maximum enthusiasm. It is crucial that we find this spark, not just against Barça or in the Tenerife derby, but particularly in the tougher moments. This is what can distinguish champions from those who are merely very good. If we consistently play with that passion and intensity, we greatly increase our chances of overcoming any opponent,” he explained.
Leading up to the fixture against Besiktas, he stated, “I hope we enter the match with great excitement and ambition, as this is a critical game for us in our quest for the best possible position ahead of the playoffs. We secured our mathematical qualification two weeks ago, which we discussed back in August, acknowledging that this year would be quite challenging, so we are very pleased with that.”
Concerning the Turkish team, he recognised, “They are in excellent form, and a victory for us would guarantee at least third place, which would be fantastic news, given the challenges we face in this group. They bring a team that competes at every level.”
High Physical Demands
Considering the physical intensity expected from the first-leg battle against the Blanquinegros, the Slovenian remarked that “Matches against Ampijevic teams, like Besiktas, are always tough and physical. It’s a league that permits significant contact, and in the Eurocup, in contrast to ACB, there is even more physicality allowed by the referees. We must be prepared for that.” He continued, “The encounters we’ve had against Barça and Tenerife, irrespective of the results, should illustrate how we need to approach our play to compete effectively and strive for victories. This match will be no different; we must be ready for physical confrontations on both ends, in defence and offence, as that’s how Besiktas operates, alongside their quality and talent,” he clarified.
The Slovenian dismissed the notion of revenge following the team’s elimination by the Turks last year in the quarter-finals, stating, “That was nearly a year ago and it was a tough loss, but many things have transpired since then. It’s essential we focus on the present and prepare for tomorrow’s game, as reflecting on the past can be detrimental.”
Continuity of Ngouama
On the possibility of keeping Mehdy Ngouama until the conclusion of the team’s Eurocup journey, the Balkan coach remarked, “I have expressed my wishes to the club, and I believe they share that sentiment. However, it is dependent not only on the club but also on his current circumstances. I sincerely hope we can reach an agreement, as he has adapted well here, being very engaged and participative in everything we do, which is highly beneficial. I am optimistic this signifies he feels good and is able to continue.”
Strategies Against the Ottomans
The keys to overcoming Besiktas include “first ensuring we manage our rebounds effectively, as they are a very physical team excelling at offensive rebounds, with players like Emanuel Terry, Dustin Sleva, and Conor Morgan. We also need to restrict their perimeter game, particularly from Needham, Allman, and Mathews, their top scorer, who is currently performing exceptionally well.” He advised caution regarding BERK UGURLU, who has been pivotal in recent matches, highlighting, “We also need to be consistent in our offensive play, since our three-point success has been lacking in several recent fixtures. This is something we must enhance, as we are typically very solid defensively—currently the best defence in the Eurocup—but we need to ensure we secure victories.”
Regaining Form
Concerning whether there exists a training plan within the Staff to ensure all players peak at the Copa del Rey, Lakovic admitted, “We’ve extensively discussed this internally. The desire to play is always there, although we know the season experiences fluctuations. The challenge lies in determining when we can maximise our performance to peak for the cup. What are we prepared to sacrifice for the cup? When reviewing the calendar, are we willing to forgo games against teams like Kissing or Coruña? This presents a dilemma, as we find ourselves in the best league in Europe with limited flexibility – we must be ready for each match. Therefore, identifying the optimal time for the Cup is indeed complex.” He acknowledged, “In recent weeks, our success and intensity have somewhat diminished, but I am hopeful that we will regain form, so in two weeks we can be the strongest version of Granca once again.”
Initial Integration of Samar
Reflecting on Žiga Samar’s arrival and their initial interactions, the Slovenian recalled, “Yesterday we had a day off to recharge after three weeks of continuous work, yet he came in for training along with players like Jovan, Mehdy, and others from the second team to assist him in grasping all our defensive and offensive strategies.” He added, “He is very excited to be here and is physically set to participate and contribute. He is highly intelligent, like a conductor, adding significant value to our off-ball defence, where he can assume multiple roles, whether guarding the ball or using his physicality to defend effectively. He offers us numerous options, especially defensively,” he concluded.
