Cedi Osman to Sportando: Following Fener in Final Four would be a revolution in Euroleague

(Foto: Ciamillo & Castoria)

The Turkish teams have already proved their progress in basketball, but it seems that can do many more great things as Cedi Osman reveals to Sportando.

The belief of the 20 years old forward is that Anadolu Efes can follow Fenerbahce Ulker in the Final Four even though their opponent is the host, Real Madrid and one of the favorites to win this year’s title.

Efes has managed to compete with the best possible way against the Spaniards and the young star from Turkey is sure that after the appearances of the second and third game, his team is capable of causing many more problems to their big opponents.

It was like a suicide that you lost the second game in Madrid. Was it easy to find the strength and win the third game?
“We played well in the first 2 games but unfortunately lost at the last minutes both. This made us sad. But we never surrender. We always believe, we proved this yesterday”.

The finale of the third game was a thrilling one. Can you tell me your thoughts during the three pointers that changed the fate of the match in just a few seconds? When Jaycee Carroll equalized for Real Madrid and when Matt Janning scored your winning basket.
“When Jaycee Carroll scored we did not stop and lose our belief to the victory. We found the burning hand, Matt Janning. He was wonderful yesterday. We grabbed a victory which we already deserved”.

Real Madrid is the host of this year's final four. The last two years, they reached the final but lost. Do you think that these facts that are in Madrid players’ minds are a plus or something negative for you?
“They play well in front of their crowd. But this can be a negative stress fact for them. We played very well in the first 2 games, but they won by early 3 pointers. This was not the basketball they always play”.

(Foto: Ciamillo & Castoria)

The first three games against Real Madrid were very close. Does this means that you gain more and more confidence that you can compete with them, you are in the same level regardless of the names of the teams and therefore you think that you are capable of turn things around despite of 0-2, now 1-2?
“We beat them in regular season to prove that we always can fight with them. This will be the 6th game between us and them. We know them very well, so do they. The team to defend well and to score more will win”.

Efes has got a lot of great players but do you count more on your coach, Dusan Ivkovic, instructions for the games against Real Madrid due to his experience and knowledge towards those kind of situations?
“Our coach is great. He always support us. We love him, show respect and always try to learn from him. We never let the game go with his tactics, discipline and approach. The fact lets us stand and fight ‘till the end is being a team”.

You are one of the young stars of Turkish basketball. So, if Efes manages to pass Real Madrid and reach the Final Four following Fener's success, will it be a big revolution in Euroleague? Two Turkish teams in the final four, something that Turks try many years now?
“Yes. If we succeed this will be our 3rd final four. We also have very important victories in our history like a Korac Cup victory, Cup for Clubs final and 2 times 3rd place in Euroleague”.

Interview by Maria Karvouni