Stefanos Dedas: It would be very nice to celebrate in our home
Stefanos Dedas has done a great job with Hapoel Holon this season qualifying the team for the Final 4 of Delasport Balkan League and the Final 8 of the Champions League. Now the team is hosting the Final 4 in Holon and is hoping to lift its first international trophy and to prepare for the future battles. Just a day before the semifinal against Hapoel Gilboa Galil, here is what Dedas had to say:
- You are coming to the F4 as the only undefeated team and are hosting the event. Is there any pressure in your team before the finals and what will be the key in preparing for the games?
- The Balkan League started as a preparation for us given the lockdown in Israel at the time. It was a very smart idea and was a great way to keep practicising and playing games until the league opened. During the competition and as we started winning, we became more hungry to fight to go to the end. The fact that we didn't lose a game doesn't say anything because we knew that at the end of the road, we had to beat at least one Israeli team which in this case is Hapoel Gilboa Galil. We know each other, we played three times so far this season so we know it won't be easy. They have good team, they beat two times Maccabi Tel Aviv, beat us in Holon in the first round of the league so it's a very big motivation for us. I don't believe there's any pressure but I don't believe that the fact that we didn't lose any match will affect this semifinal clash. It's a separate game, a knockout game and since we are at home for sure we'll be very motivated to do something good.
The key for the semifinal is the adjustment given the knowledge of our opponent. They also know us very well and I think that the more prepared and more motivated team, the one who wants it more, will be the winner.
- This season is one of a kind and your team has played a lot of games due to the participation both in the Balkan League and the Champions league. What it's like to play in both competition and how are you feeling after reaching the Final 4 of BIBL and the Final 8 of CL? How do you rate your chances of winning both?
- We're one of the teams with most games in Europe as we've had more than 45 games so far and we succeeded to reach the Final 4 of BIBL, the Final 8 of BCL, we made it to the Final 4 of Israeli Cup and the final of the League Cup. We are in the top 4 at the moment in the league. We are having a great season, we are having a great record and despite the fact that we don't have such a long roster, there is a great chemistry between the players and all those games make us stronger and more ready to adjust against any situation.
- You are playing against Gilboa Galil in the semifinal. What can you say about your opponent which you know very well and what will be the most important in that match for you to win it?
- It's a team which has good import players and at the same moment very young and ambitious Israeli players. They are in a good position in the Israeli league which shows what they're are capable of and their quality. We know each other very well so it'll be a tough battle. For sure we're proud that if we win this game, it'll give us the ticket for the final of an European competition. I have to say that, given the situation and all the difficulties with COVID-19 pandemic, the Delasport Balkan League was well organized and very well promoted event. We are happy to be part of the competition and for sure it's a big honour to host the Final 4. I'm expecting a tough battle with Galil but we'll be really motivated to go until the end. It would be very nice to celebrate something on Thursday in our home.
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| No Games Scheduled |
| Delasport Balkan League 2023/2024 Regular Season | |||
| 1 | .jpg){kind=logo} KB Sigal Prishtina |
8 - 2 | 18 |
| 2 |  PAYABL EKA AEL |
6 - 4 | 16 |
| 3 |  KB Peja |
6 - 4 | 16 |
| 4 |  KK Lovcen 1947 |
4 - 6 | 14 |
| 5 |  KK Plevlja |
0 - 8 | 8 |
