Konstantin Papazov: This is a final before the final

Tonight in Prishtina Sigal will host Levski in the final came of the regular season in EUROHOLD Balkan League. Both teams are fighting for a direct spot in the Final 4 and it all came down to this match. Here are the words of the head coach of Levski - Konstantin Papazov, who tonight is going against one of his good friends - Marin Dokuzovski:     "I think we are well prepared. Of course we have a big problem with the absence of Jumaine Jones who is a very consistent player for us. He is a player who as a spirit and consistency is very valuable. He is in Kosovo with us but we′ll not be able to use him because he has a virus and this reflects him.   I think this is the biggest coronation for the organizers - for those that make the competition. Two teams with absolutely identical record are going to meet in an incredible atmosphere. I think that during the season both teams showed very good things and perhaps this is a final before the final. Undoubtedly during the years the Final 4 is the cream of the crop but for me this match is going to be something really good. I can′t remember if in the last round of any of the seasons in EUROHOLD Balkan League there has been such a decisive match. This, garnished with the exceptional atmosphere that the fans are creating, garnished with the presence of Marin Dokuzovski and of Levski, that for me is one of the dominating teams in the league, is a big enough precondition for good expectations. One thing is certain - if somebody asks now the question whether it was right or not for EUROHOLD Balkan League to invite the teams from Kosovo after the game the answer can only be categorical - the best decision in those six years is the one in which the management of the league overleaped the politics and took a decision in the spirit of sports, of the fairplay and in fans′s interest.   We were in a bid psychological situation before our visit to Peja at the start of the season. It was the first home European game for that team, the atmosphere was incredible and we managed to control the game from start to finish. It′s better the gym to be full and to be against us that to be empty without any atmosphere. Our team is the best one in the league and this is my personal opinion. For us it′s better to qualify now but I think we are the favourites to win the trophy and if we can′t qualify now, we′ll do it in the playoffs. We have the potential and my and my staff′s task is to use it at maximum. I′m once again saying that this is the strongest Levski team we have ever made and my opinion is that the time works for us and the chemistry is getting better. I really hope that every day will work like this and the team to get better and to bring joy to its fans. One thing is certain - Levski plays a high scoring basketball. Levski will become strong when to this high scoring basketball add also a good defense that can bring the big and real wins. I think this is just a matter of time. The big personal class of the players, their self-confidence and self-believe is lowering their focus and their work in defense. If we want to achieve something special, and for me this means to win both competitioins that are left for us, this goes through a very responsible work in defense.   Marin Dokuzovski has been a part of some of my biggest coaching successes over the years. I claim, and here is the role of the numbers and the statistics, that the best performance in Europe in the history of Lukoil Academic is the performance of our duo. I was a head coach and I have always said that we had a very good staff and the most successful results for me in Europe are connected to my good cooperation with Marin Dokuzovski. I′ve learned a lot from him and I think he learned a little bit from me. Tonight there won′t be any feelings. Each will play for its honour - he will have the support of the fans and I will have the support of the skills of my players. The mosts important thing is to make a good spectacle for the organizers to whom we owe our participation in this match. I think the one that deserves to win more will do it. Some of the best referees are invited to the game and I′m sure that there is no doubt they will be correct. Surely this is a final before the final."