Emil Rajkovic: My team has the character of a champion, we leave our hearts on the court

Emil Rajkovic has proved himself around the Balkan League since the start of the competition back in 2008. The young coach of KK Feni Industries is also one of the most successful Macedonian coaches in the last couple of years, as he has won eveyrthing possible since his appointment with Feni in 2006 - 3 Macedonian championships, 2 Cups of Macedonia and 1 Balkan League title. He was kind enough to share some of his thoughts before the game against Levski on Thursday.
 
Q: What are your expectations before the game against Levski in Sofia, after all you are the defending Balkan League champion?

Emil Rajkovic: I have very high opinion about Titi Papazov and Toni Dechev as coaches and Levski as a club, we are good friends with them as it was seen with our participation on their tournament held this September in Universiada Hall. We are the BIBL champions and we have obligation to act and play at the highest level in every game in the Balkan League, but the match with Levski is a special one because it already became the biggest derby in BIBL in the past years. In this match I expect my team to play at the highest level and to try and win Levski in Sofia.

 

Q: You have faced Levski four times so far in the past editions of the BIBL, as each team has two wins, do you think that being the current Balkan League champion gives your team at least a slight advantage?

 

E.R.: Every match with Levski so far has been very interesting and close and always the home team had a bit of a bigger chance, but I hope that this time we will play the best we can and win the much needed game for us.

 

Q: Ivan Lilov joined the team after the start of the season, but it looks like his adaption is going good. Do you think that he can make the difference in the game, having in mind that he knows Levski really well?

 

E.R.: Ivan Lilov is a player which I have always liked, ever since I got to know him 3 or 4 years ago and my team got much better with signing him. He adapted very good because first he is a person with great human qualities, and after that he is a great player. I think he will be a key factor in our fight for the three championships this season. Against Levski, as well as in the other games he will be one of our main offensive weapons.

 

Q: Feni suffered a heavy defeat against MZT, while Levski lost with quite a difference to Lukoil. Are you motivated to show what you are really capable of?

 

E.R.: We have injury issues at the center position and that was evident in the game against MZT, which we lost. However my team has the character of a champion, whenever we are in a difficult situation we find a way to go out of the crisis even stronger. The motivation in my team is always on a high level and so it will be agaisnt Levski. I know Levski will also try to play a good game against us and try to forget the loss from Lukoil, so it′s going to be a great match in every aspect.

 

Q: Your prediction for Levski - Feni?

 

E.R.: I never predict the outcome of our games, but I can promise you one thing - even when we play against great teams we leave our hearts on the court and try to win!