For a season and a half, Joe Thomasson played for Hapoel Gilboa / Galil and was a key screw in its success with reaching the semifinals of the Final Four in 2019/20 and the playoff finals in 2020/21.
Last summer he rejected several offers from Israel and preferred to sign with the Spanish Manresa.
The 28-year-old Thomason has shown his high abilities both in the Spanish league, the best league in Europe, and also in the Champions League where he is one of the main people responsible for Manresa reaching the Final Four / Final Four.
"We reached the Final Four as one of the strongest and most stable teams in the factory, but it seems to us that no one believed in us and did not think we would win," Thomasson told Israel Today in a special interview from Bilbao before the prestigious title game against Tenerife.
"All season no one has had high expectations of us, both in the Spanish league and in the Champions League, but we have proven ourselves and we want to win the cup. If we play as we played and save as we kept, we have a good chance of doing it."
What do you remember from your time in Israel?
"I remember 'Shabbat Shalom' (in Hebrew, YM).
I remember that most.
One of my best experiences was Shabbat in Israel which is an amazing experience to be on the weekend with the family and how everyone suddenly becomes carefree from Friday to Saturday night, I love it so much in Israel.
Joe Thomason.
Do not forget the period in Israel, Photo: The official website of the Champions League
"It's really nice and I also remember that we reached the Final Four in my first season in Israel and played against Maccabi and lost to them by a small margin, being in a game like this against Maccabi was amazing. Last season in Game 3 the hall was full to capacity and despite the loss it is something that stays with me." .
Do you still sometimes think about the opportunity you had to win the Israeli championship?
"Of course. I think about it all the time. We were one game from being champions in Israel. It's something big, there are not many people who can say they beat Maccabi. We beat them twice at home and with us. And also in game 2 in the playoffs. It was a bit unfair how the situation was. It was for us because we played against Holon in the playoffs in a crazy battle and we were on the way to victory but then there was a mess with the generator and there was no electricity and it made us play more games in less time and we played day after day after the victory against Holon we were already in Tel Aviv and played against Maccabi. "A day to prepare and it could have looked different. I still think about it but Maccabi had great players in the team and taking little Gilboa to the final is something I will never be proud of."
Joe Thomason.
Did not receive any of Israel's biggest offers, Photo: Official website of the Champions League
How do you explain that over the years many players went from Gilboa to good teams in Europe?
"Gilboa is a great place to show that you can play at the highest levels. The coaches give keys to the players and you feel believed in. I think Gilboa's great success is not only basketball but also outside of basketball, the way the manager talks to you and takes care of you, and everything is professional even though it's a small place and everything "Quiet and calm. On Saturday, you are always invited and hosted and we make sure that nothing is missing for the players and that they can concentrate on the field. It gives the players security and comfort."
You played well in Israel and some teams wanted you, so why did you move to Spain?
"Honestly, I feel that people in Israel still doubt me and do not look at me as one of the best who have been there. I do not take anything from others, but if you look at my numbers they are better than many good players and I proved I can lead a small team to something powerful and strong. , In the Holy Land and go to a team like Maccabi, Jerusalem or Holon, but none of these teams offered me a contract and I was disappointed. And what I did at Gilboa I'm doing now in Spain, which is the best local league in Europe. I'm taking a small team to the playoffs and the Final Four of the Champions League. We're in the best season this team has ever had. We have the second lowest budget in the league "4 games to end the regular season. It's fantastic."
Maybe winning the Champions League trophy will put you on the radar of big teams in Europe and Israel.
"That's the main goal. Now that I'm at that point, even if we lose or win the final what we did this year is unbelievable. I'm one of the best players in the league, every night I came and performed. I stopped who needed "A bunch of young players and people can see you taking an organization to a higher place. I want to be ready for the opportunity to do that while another organization believes in me."
Joe Thomson in action.
The big final tonight, Photo: The official website of the Champions League
If you win the trophy will it be the big moment of your career?
"It's sure to be one of the big moments of my career so far. I played championship games but I couldn't win. I lost in high school in the final and I know what it takes to win, but I also know how it feels to lose. I want to do it for myself and for the team. It's It will be a critical moment in my career that I will never forget. "
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