Hapoel Holon will open its European campaign in the FIBA Champions League tonight (Monday, 6:30 p.m.) against Legia Warsaw of Poland. Guy Goodes’ team enters the 2022/23 season with a slightly different squad than the one that finished last season, but with the same goals and after A particularly tough pre-season, the Purples will hope to open the season in the Champions League in the best possible way or as Frederic Bourdion He said in an interview with ONE: “I want to return to the Final Four.”
Bourdion starts his third season in Holon, with whom he won the championship last season. A moment before, he said: “We have been waiting for this game for a long time because it is the first real game of the season even if we played in the cup games of the pre-season. First we want to qualify for the second round, but personally I want to return to the Final Four, I have something there that I didn’t finish last season.”
Hapoel Holon’s pre-season ended without victories in the various tournaments, the only victory the team achieved was in the Winner’s Cup over Hapoel Galil Iliyon, and in the same game Guy Goodes lost C. J. Harris. “We had a different preseason than usual,” Bourdion said, “the coach was with the national team and we played a lot of games outside of Israel against good teams from the Euroleague, the Eurocup and the Champions League. We lost one of our leaders, but everyone comes with confidence, we showed that we can play well for 25-30 minutes. Now we have to do it for 40 minutes.”
How confident are you in your ability to open the season with a win?
“It’s a good test for us, we know who we’re playing against, they have a different style of basketball than we do, but we have veteran players in Holon so it’s time to take advantage of it because it’s already an important game for qualifying for the next level.”
You and Holon, tell us about it, what makes this relationship so special and when did the talks about extending the contract start?
“I think it’s just a good fit. It’s no secret that I want to stay here until the end of my career if all the conditions are good.”
How is Harris? Have you had a chance to talk to him since the injury which seems to have once again put the issue of stickers in the spotlight, what do you think about it?
“si. J. OK, he is in a good mood, he always has a positive attitude and we all wish him a speedy recovery because he is the most talented player in our team. I have nothing to say about the stickers. If they take them down it will be good, if we don’t have to play with them then…”
Eric Green just joined the team, what can he bring you? In light of the situation, is it even fair to expect him and the team to deliver the goods already in the first game?
“Eric is also a seasoned player, he knows what his job is, what can you expect from someone who arrived yesterday? He is a professional so he will do what the coach asks of him without a doubt. You never know what can happen, he can score 20 points, you will get the answer tonight.”