Guy Pnini had dreams of lifting the Champions League trophy as captain of Hapoel Holon, but unfortunately he and his teammates lost to Tenerife in the semi-finals, and then surrendered to Ludwigsburg in a match for third place.
Today (Monday) the team returns to Israel, and will begin preparations for the playoff quarterfinal series against Hapoel Galil Elyon, which will start on Friday.
Pearls in the photos for the Final Four,
"I dreamed of swinging a trophy"
"Before I came here, I had a dream of lifting the trophy," says Pnini in an interview with Israel Today.
"We had a goal to win the title, and we knew it would be very difficult, that there are good teams here and that we would have to be at our best. That dream still exists, and I hope there will be many more opportunities."
What did the 1,000 fans who did this hard and expensive road do to you, especially when they cheered you on at the end of the game against Ludwigsburg?
"Before the first game we saw the photos and videos from the march, and I can tell you that it moved the players. The crowd gave a show here. After the game against Ludwigsburg we were crushed, both because of the losses and because we knew we disappointed so many fans, who made it all the way "Their encouragement lifted us up, and we owe it to them."
It seems that you did not reach the Final Four at your peak, but that the peak was against Strasbourg, and that there has been a decline since then.
"I agree. We did not lose the Final Four this weekend, but we missed our momentum after Strasbourg. I felt it after the game against Galil. We got there ready and we lost, and there was a feeling in the locker room that this loss is okay, because we made the Final Four. It is not We have to understand our attitude as players. We have to understand that every game affects the next game, and that there is momentum that is built. We put ourselves in negative momentum, and that's where the decline started. ".
pearly,
"Experienced enough to get out of this"
There are not many things that Pnini, who is closer to 39 than 38, likes more than winning degrees.
There were years when he won almost every game for the entire box office in which he participated.
And he also knows that at his age, not sure how many more opportunities he will have.
You lost in the Cup semi-final and here in the semi-final, how much do you want to end this season with a title?
"I really want to, but I think we need to take this playoff step by step. There will be a crazy playoff with good teams, and we already have a quarter in the Galilee, which has made it difficult for us all season. The first will come - security will return. "
Could there be an impact of disappointment this weekend on the playoffs?
"It depends on the players and the team. We have the ability to pick up the pieces and reunite. We are proud of what we did and our arrival at the event at a high level, but from today we only have to think about the playoffs. .
"Love these classes"
Did it occur to you that this may be the last time you will participate as a player in such positions?
"Yes, it occurred to me that this may be my last time in such a position, especially after the loss to Tenerife. But I believe and hope not, and think we can do it again. You never know when the last chance will be, and it could very well be that it was now and I missed her".
Coach Guy Pearls will reach such positions, and perhaps even bigger ones?
"The experience here gave me the hunger to return to such positions. We have seen the Spanish teams here, and we have a lot to learn from them. I hope I will return to these positions as a player, but one day, also as a coach - I really want to compete in games of this magnitude."
Your contract expires at the end of the season, would you like to continue in Holon next season as well?
"Certainly I want to continue. Everyone knows about my connection to Holon, how much I love the place and the crowd and how good I am here. Of course I want to continue this dynasty, continue to be successful with the club, have fun and do great things. Hope it is mutual."
Dreaming of reaching these positions again, Photo: Udi Citation
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