FCBARCELONA.CAT

05.05.2010 10:40

Ricky: “We have to show just why we are in the Final Four”

Cristina Collado

Ricky Rubio will be making his first trip to Paris this weekend – but unlike most 19 year-olds, he’s going to try and win the Euroleague Final Four, something he reckons - “would be a dream come true”.

Ricky is all set to show the world that his Barca are worthy favourites for the tournament. Coming into the Barca TV studios for an exclusive interview, he looks relaxed and ready for his first trip to Paris and the chance to win his first Euroleague title with the club.

What does Paris mean to you?
“Right now it means basketball. It’s a city that is going to enjoy some intensive days of basketball. I’ve never been before and I know I’ll always remember this first time for the Final Four”.

So what do you expect it to be like?
“Full of emotions. Some of the other players have explained what a Final Four is like – it’s similar to the Spanish Cup, but at a European level – even bigger. If the Spanish Cup is incredible, just imagine what this is going to be like!”

Despite your age, you’ve really seen a lot in the game – you’ve been nearly five years in the ACB, got an Olympic silver medal and a gold in the European Championships….Does all that experience help you to go into this Final Four more relaxed or do you feel nervous?
“Everybody is nervous, regardless of how many Final Fours you’ve played. It’s a final – and that means that everything that’s happened before just doesn’t count now. Maybe I’ll be nervous because it’s my first time and you always want that first experience to be good”.

You’ve never won an ACB league or a Euroleague and that was one of the reasons you came here to Barca and now you are pretty close to achieving one of them.
“Yes, it’s one of my dreams and one of the objectives I set myself this season. This is the moment of truth and we have to show why we are considered one of the best in Europe and why we deserve to be in the Final Four. Let’s hope we can win it”.

First you have to beat CSKA and then it’s Partizan or Olympiacos...
“We are just focussing on CSKA right now. It would be a mistake to be distracted by thinking about a possible rival in a final. Even though they’ve lost their first two games in the Russian season, they are in good form and have prepared a lot for this game, as we have”.

One difference is that CSKA have had longer to prepare the game, whilst you’ve had to play ACB games until the very last moment.
“Well, when you have to play beforehand you are tired and when you don’t you’re stale – everybody always complains about something. We’ve used the two games to warm up for the Final Four and start to prepare for the tournament”.

You were just 6 when Barca last played a Final Four in Paris. Do you remember anything about it?
“I really can’t remember much from when I was six! The other players who were there have explained a few things about how it went though”.

So they must have explained about Vrankovic’s block and how it’s something the club would like to put right with a win this time?
“Yes, they have told me all about that and I’ve seen a video of the incident. If we can put that right for the guys who played that day buy winning this time around… well that’s an extra motivation”.

What would it mean for you to win the Euroleague?
“A dream come true, fulfil an objective I set myself -it’s every basketball player’s dream”.

Would it be a failure not to win?
“No, not a failure, obviously I’d be disappointed, but it depends on exactly how you lose. If you give everything on court, you go for it 100% and you lose, then there’s nothing to say, but if we lose and we’ve not done our best, well that would be a disappointment.

If you do win, you’ll be the youngest player to ever win a Euroleague – that’s another record for you.
“The truth is that I’ve never stopped to worry about those things, but it’s true that it’d be good when I’m older to be able to tell my grandchildren that I held a few records. What would most please me is not so much being the youngest player in the Euroleague Final Four, but winning it!”

What do you most want to see in París-Bercy?
“All my family – my parents, and my brothers. With them by my side, it will all be a lot easier”.