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Interview... Sonja PETROVIC
(par Christian Gout, février 2008)

Crédits photos:
Sonja Petrovic
&
FIBA Europe

- You were really close to play the Euroleague final last year.... The final four is a good souvenir or a big frustration?

Sonja Petrovic: Both. First period after F4 it was a big frustration because we were so close and then victories slip from our hands. But of course it is an unforgettable memory. To be there, play against best teams and players in Europe, it is big experience for me.

- After Belgrade Red Star, Barcelona and Bourges, you are in Russia, in the best european team (Spartak). Even if you don't play, what is your feeling about the town and your (dream) team?....

Sonja Petrovic: Moscow is enormous city,beautiful with great tradition. I like it very much, but it is hard to enjoy it because of traffic and weather problems. Yeah, I think the "dream" team is the right name. It feels great to be part of such a team. I still don't practice with them, but just to watch them is great experience.

- A word about men basketball in Serbia... It looks that after many wonderfull year and historic players, it is now a moment with some difficulties for the Serbian team (both for the club and National team)... Partizan is in the Euroleague Top 16, but it will be difficult to qualify (although it's always difficult to play in Pionir arena for visiting teams!)... Do you think Serbia will be back soon on top?....

Sonja Petrovic: I really don't know. Now they are trying to make change of generations and I think that is a good thing, especially when you have coach like Dusan Ivkovic in head of all. But that is a hard and long process and you need a long time to get results. And for teams the situation is even harder because of big financial problems.

- What about the women team in Serbia?... There are many good players, but not team in Euroleague.... Do you think it could change in the future?....

Sonja Petrovic: With women basketball is even worst situation. League level is very low, with most of the good players going abroad. There are not good conditions so they are forced to look for better somewhere else. But I think that better time is coming, we had big success on younger level and a lot of good young players so I hope in couple years the results will come.

Thanks Sonja!... Wishing you All the Best for 2009!...

Christian Gout: - You start to play basketball very young... Probably with one-on-one with your sister Milena?... Sonja Petrovic: Yes,I started when I was 7 years old together with my sister and some other friends from school. We played together for 9 years, so a lot of times we played one-on-one and for a long time she was winning me!... Do you have great souvenirs from this period in Serbia? Sonja Petrovic: Yes, I do. Of course there was a lot of things that I had to disavow because of practices, but also made great friends between teammates and now I can see it was all worth it. You left Serbia to Spain (FC Barcelona) quite young.... It was difficult?... Do you have some to give some advices to young players whe leave their country so young?.... Sonja Petrovic: It was hard, I faced with a different world but I was lucky to have great team and support of my family. It's only important that they are sure in their choice and to stabilize first couple months, after everything is easier. - In 2008, after a successfull year with Bourges, you received the FIBA Europe Young Women's Player of the Year award.... It represents a lot for you?.... Sonja Petrovic: Yes, I can say that it is probably my biggest achievement. For that I'm really proud of myself and thankful to all coaches and teammates who helped accomplish that. I'm also glad because big role in receiving it had all success with my national team.	- You were really close to play the Euroleague final last year.... The final four is a good souvenir or a big frustration? Sonja Petrovic: Both. First period after F4 it was a big frustration because we were so close and then victories slip from our hands. But of course it is an unforgettable memory. To be there, play against best teams and players in Europe, it is big experience for me. - After Belgrade Red Star, Barcelona and Bourges, you are in Russia, in the best european team (Spartak). Even if you don't play, what is your feeling about the town and your (dream) team?.... Sonja Petrovic: Moscow is enormous city,beautiful with great tradition. I like it very much, but it is hard to enjoy it because of traffic and weather problems. Yeah, I think the "dream" team is the right name. It feels great to be part of such a team. I still don't practice with them, but just to watch them is great experience.

	- A word about men basketball in Serbia... It looks that after many wonderfull year and historic players, it is now a moment with some difficulties for the Serbian team (both for the club and National team)... Partizan is in the Euroleague Top 16, but it will be difficult to qualify (although it's always difficult to play in Pionir arena for visiting teams!)... Do you think Serbia will be back soon on top?.... Sonja Petrovic: I really don't know. Now they are trying to make change of generations and I think that is a good thing, especially when you have coach like Dusan Ivkovic in head of all. But that is a hard and long process and you need a long time to get results. And for teams the situation is even harder because of big financial problems. - What about the women team in Serbia?... There are many good players, but not team in Euroleague.... Do you think it could change in the future?.... Sonja Petrovic: With women basketball is even worst situation. League level is very low, with most of the good players going abroad. There are not good conditions so they are forced to look for better somewhere else. But I think that better time is coming, we had big success on younger level and a lot of good young players so I hope in couple years the results will come.

- Sonja, to finish, can you give us some news about your knee?.... Sonja Petrovic: It is going good. Doctors are very satisfied so I hope everything will finish without problems. - With this kind of injury, it's very important to follow a rigorous protocol to be back... It usually needs around at least 6 months... So, is-there a possibility to see you back on court before the end of the season?... Sonja Petrovic: Yes, usually it is around 6 months, so there is chance that I will be back for the end of season, but you never know. I think there is possibility to play again before the end of season but it is not good to force me so we will see.	Thanks Sonja!... Wishing you All the Best for 2009!...