Future in Zenica, Žakelj: We have our goals and we want to play the best match possible

The semi-finals of the AdmiralBet ABA League await the basketball players of Budućnost Voli - tomorrow (18) the "blues" will visit Dubai in Zenica in the first match of the series.

The dilemma of where Buducnost would host the team from the Emirates lasted for days. After the quarter-final series, Dubai wanted to return to its "Coca-Cola Arena", and even released tickets for sale, but Buducnost announced that they did not want to travel to the Emirates. After that, the previous Thursday, the ABA League Presidency made a decision that Dubai would play on a neutral field until the end of the season, but the club threatened to sue, so a meeting was held on Friday, and then it was announced that the final decision would be made on Monday. And, finally, two days ago, the dilemma was resolved - Dubai will welcome the "blues" at the "Husejin Smajlović" hall.

Buducnost have been defeated by Dubai twice this season in the Top Eight stage. The Blues eliminated Cluj on their way to the semi-finals, and now they want to try to repeat the result from last season, when they reached the final.

"There's no need to waste too many words, we know who we're playing against. It's a Euroleague team of exceptional individual quality that plays good, fast and aggressive basketball. We know their players very well, and some of them have worn the Buducnost jersey, so there are no big unknowns there," said Buducnost coach Andrej Žakelj.

The head coach of the Montenegrin champion analyzed the rival.

"Their biggest advantage lies in their size, athleticism and height, so it's difficult to match them without maximum toughness and fight. That's the main thing we're working on and preparing for. Of course, we have our goals and we want to play the best game possible. I hope we'll all be healthy, but we'll definitely know that only on match day," explained Žakelj.

Defense could be key.

"The first game will definitely be incredibly intense. We know that Dubai has tremendous offensive talent, so we have to have good communication in defense and play as a team from the start. We have to play aggressively from the start and impose our rhythm. Compared to previous duels against them, I expect us to have much more energy," emphasized the "blues" basketball player, Jogi Ferel.

Buducnost reached the final of the regional competition last season, and now they face a very strong opponent on their way there.

"We all know what's at stake and that we're playing for a place in the finals. We've analyzed the footage from the regular season, learned lessons from our mistakes, and now we just need to get out on the court, fight, and trust each other. If we do that, everything will fall into place," concluded Ferel.