Fernando San Ametrio is one of the most respected basketball players in Europe in the last 15-20 years.
With great shooting, understanding of the game among the best we have seen and professionalism at the highest levels, the Spanish forward has played in the European top for years.
In the summer of 2021 he announced his retirement and a few days later he was already appointed assistant coach of Valencia.
Yesterday in the game against Maccabi Tel Aviv he sat on the bench of the bats next to head coach Alex Mombro, another great past player.
Since retiring, San Emetrio has refused to be interviewed, as we were told in the media department of the Spanish team, but in the final training session before the meeting against the Yellows, he gave a special interview to "Israel Today", according to him a lot due to his great appreciation for the fans in Israel who, in his opinion, understand basketball and appreciate the game.
"It's always a pleasure to come to Israel," says the 38-year-old San Ametrio.
"I really like Tel Aviv, I really like the court here. I have many special moments from this court and the great atmosphere every time I played here. It's always good to come back here."
Fernando San Ametrio.
"It's always good to come back here", photo: Danny Maron
What is the difference for you between being a player and a coach?
"It's a significant transition. As a coach you have a completely different perspective, you're constantly thinking about the whole team, and how to make it better. You understand the players better. I'm currently in the process of learning the role of coach and I hope to do it well."
What is more difficult, a player or a coach?
"Good question. It's completely different. For me now it's more difficult to be a coach, because I'm trying to learn. I really enjoy the work. I changed a page and I want to succeed as a coach."
What are the main ideas you took with you from your playing career to the coaching role?
"The basic thing is that you have to see an effort from everyone so that the team is better. As a player you have to give that effort, and as a coach you have to make sure that all the players provide that effort for the benefit of the team."
Part of the Spanish Golden Generation
For years, San Emetrio was part of the Spanish golden generation that led the team to win the European Championships and medals in the Olympics and World Championships.
"We have great coaches already at a young age, so the kids can improve a lot, both individually, both in technique and in understanding the game," he says in response to the question of what is the secret that has kept Spanish basketball at the top for so many years.
"In my opinion, the generation of the 80s with Gasol and Navarro simply changed the way of thinking in Spain. They opened everyone's minds here and took the industry a step forward. Today everyone in Spain is sure that we can beat anyone and win all the titles. That's the secret."
Fernando San Ametrio,
What is the tip you can give to a young kid who is starting to play basketball?
"The first thing is to enjoy basketball, enjoy your teammates, enjoy the daily investment and the fact that you can achieve the goals."
"I have good memories of the games against Maccabi"
As he said, San Ametrio has played many times over the years against Maccabi Tel Aviv and accumulated quite a few memories. He had another interface with Israeli basketball in the 2009/10 season when he collaborated with Lior Eliyahu in Caja Laboral and won the Spanish championship with him.
"We had a lot of things in Tel Aviv over the years. The first thing I remember, unfortunately, is the playoff series against Maccabi (in the 2010/11 season, YM).
We lost one of the games in Vitoria and then we lost both games in Israel.
The atmosphere was unbelievable and made us compete amazingly.
The second memory is the winning basket I scored against Maccabi in Tel Aviv (season 2012/13).
I have other good memories, but these are the first two things that come to mind."
Fernando San Ametrio in Valencia uniform, photo: EPA
Who is the Maccabi player you enjoy playing against the most?
"Chuck Idson. He was in my position, and I played against him several times. The competition with him was fun and I remember it well."
During your career, have you seen other players with a unique talent like Lior Eliyahu?
"He is different from the other players - the special shot, his talent to run the whole court from side to side. It was fun to play with him."
Finally, you have won many titles during your career.
Do you miss not winning the Euroleague?
"Yes, absolutely. It bothers me not only that I didn't win, but that I didn't even play in the Final Four. It's a special class that I wanted to be a part of and I didn't succeed. But that's life and you don't achieve all your goals. Who knows, maybe as an assistant coach or as a coach I'm more I will get there one day."
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