Intervista esclusiva ai nostri microfoni di Victor Claver, ala del Valencia. Lo spagnolo, dopo cinque anni passati tra le fila del Barcellona, è tornato a giocare nel club che aveva lanciato la sua carriera da professionista. Nonostante un infortunio che lo ha tenuto fuori dal campo, Claver è uno dei leader più importanti all’interno dello spogliatoio della squadra di Penarroya. Qui di seguito la versione originale in inglese dell’intervista e, nella pagina successiva, la traduzione italiana.
We had the opportunity to take an exclusive interview with Victor Claver, player of Valencia. The spanish forward, after five seasons spent in Barcelona, came back to the club that allowed him to become a professional. Despite an injury that kept him off the court, Clavers is one of the most important leaders of Pennaroya’s teams. Here’s what he said at our microphones!
This year you came back where your career started, at Valencia. Why did you take this choice and what are the main differences with your past experience here?
For me it was always special to come back to the team that gave me an opportunity to be a professional. I thought it was a good opportunity to give back something that they gave me and to try to help the team to win and be on the top level in Spain and in Europe. The club has grown up a lot these years with the woman’s team and the Alqueria, it gives a different look to the team. Valencia is not only our team, it’s something bigger in basketball and in the city.
You won a lot of trophies throughout your career, also with the Spanish national team. What is the trophy you feel more proud of?
The world cup in 2009, because it was something unexpected for everybody and I think we did a great tournament with a special chemistry between the players and the coaches also. That was a big time for all of us, but I also remember when we won the Eurocup with Valencia. It was the only trophy that I won with the team and I would love to get some more this year.
Barcelona has been your home for the last five years. What are the most important things that experience teached you?
Barcelona has always the pressure to win for every title, and that is something that helps you to improve everyday, in every practice and in every game. We had the chance also to play a Euroleague final, it’s something really special. Everyday it’s a challenge when you play for a big team.
What are the main differences between two great coaches as Joan Penarroya and Sarunas Jasikevicius?
I think that in both you can see they were players, because of the way they talk to the players and they transmit, it’s very similar. I think Saras is more focused on details to have everything under control. Penarroya tries to help the players to give their maximum, to have some more freedom on offense and on defense, always giving the maximum to win.
How far do you think this team can go this season in Eurocup?
It’s always a goal to win the title in Eurocup, so this year we’ll try to go for it. Now it’s a different year in Eurocup, it will not be easy to get to the final but we’re trying to have the best record in regular season to play as many games at home as we can, trying to win it one more time.
What are your goals for this season and the goals of the whole team?
My goal right now is to come back at 100% after the injury, and try to help the team win as many games as possible. About the team, we showed already that we can compete against all the teams and that’s the main goal, to always give the maximum. And why not to win one title, another Eurocup or the League. I’m sure we’ll be close to that.
