Marcellino Huartz is the main figure in the Final Four of the Champions League in Bilbao.
The 39-year-old Brazilian coordinator, who played for the biggest teams in Spain and also spent several NBA seasons in the Los Angeles Lakers uniform, centers most of the attention of the participants in the event.
At the gala press conference held yesterday (Thursday) most of the questions from journalists, both Spanish and those who came from other countries were directed towards him, the veteran journalists know him from the major highlights he has attended over the years.
Players and coaches from the other teams also have respect and appreciation for the player who even in advanced age shows wonderful ability, and is considered one of the main factors for the great season that his team Tenerife goes through, with 10 points and 6.8 assists per game in the Champions League this season.
I caught him for a short chat on the floor at the Bilbao Arena after his team's concluding training.
"I really want to win this title," says the wonderful coordinator.
"I leave all the titles I won behind. I have a drive to compete, we work hard all year for these moments. Every season we compete for this title and for other titles in Spain, and for me it's a big challenge and I'm very excited about the opportunity to compete for another title."
How do you manage to maintain such a high level for so many years?
"I try to keep myself as much as I can. Luckily I have not had any significant injuries during my career, which has allowed me to extend my career. I keep my body as much as I can, take care of food, proper rest and whatever it takes, so I can still be Here and play at this level. "
If you do not have the same feeling will retire, Photo: The official website of the Champions League
Where do you get your motivation from?
"After so many years if you do not go to training every day with a smile on your face, and try to be better and learn new things, it should be the sign for you to stop playing basketball. If you do not have the same feeling you had when you started playing basketball many years ago "Every time I go on the field, I feel the same feeling and the same drive and energy to compete at the highest level. Of course the body does not react the same at first, and you have to do things differently to recover at the end of each day."
Hoarts in a kaha uniform for Borel, Photo: AFP
At the press conference the excellent coordinator was asked if he feels the same feelings as before big games he had during his career: "There is nothing more exciting than being here and competing for the trophy. You do not feel tired and you are ready to challenge, at this stage of your career you just want to participate as much as possible "Games like this. It does not matter how old you are, you are still hungry and you have a drive to show that you are here for a reason. I hope we can play in the final as well."
Are you a favorite in the Final Four?
"We come to show our abilities on the field. We do not think whether we are favorites to win or what is being said around, we are focused solely on the game against Holon in the semi-finals. We know that when you reach the Final Four you have to concentrate solely on the first game."
In the last two years you were also considered a favorite and lost already in the quarterfinals. What are the consequences of the losses on your preparations for the game against Holon?
"These losses make us hungry and fight for the title. I'm sure the other teams are as hungry as we are, and we need to be ready for the fight. We need to stop the Holon guards because in all their victories their guards have excelled."
How do you manage to play as a team at such a high level for several years?
"We know each other well and practice the coach's method of play. We have a lot of experienced players competing for titles in different leagues and tournaments, so it sure helps us. Every year we add an important piece, and I hope that during this weekend we will see the best ability. Our season in the Champions League to try to win the title. "
The selfie with Pnini and Goodes
An amusing incident took place before the press conference when the Hoarts approached Guy Goodes and Guy Pnini and asked them to take a selfie for a Brazilian friend who knows Esteban Batista, a former Maccabi Tel Aviv player who played with the Hoarts in Basconia, and attended several Maccabi Tel Aviv games. Uruguay.
Hoarts and Pnini, Photo: Official website of the Champions League
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