- I loved playing and living in Spain, but I wanted to spend more time on the court. I'm ready for a more important role in the team. From a development point of view, moving to Poland seemed like a better choice - says Denzel Andersson, who moved from Surne Bilbao Basket to Dzików Warsaw before the upcoming season. His international experience will be useful in Dzików's debut in European cups - in the European North Basketball League. The inaugural match with the Dutch Donar Groningen is on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in Warsaw's Koło hall.
You previously played in the Polish Basketball League two years ago, in the colors of Arged BM Stal Ostr ó w Wielkopolski. Where did the idea to return to Polish courts come from?
I wanted to play a bigger role in the team, play more. I loved playing in Spain, but I believe that from a professional development perspective, I made the better choice by moving to Dziki Warsaw.
You spent the last two seasons in the Spanish CB Bilbao Berri. It was too hot in Spain, wasn't it? (smile)
Everything was great, but we played mainly defensively. Of course I like playing in defense, but I also wanted to be more useful in the offense. I talked about it with the coach before signing the contract and he said that I would fit perfectly into the team's needs.
Will you miss regular matches with Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and other giants of the Euroleague and Basketball Champions League?
Certainly yes. I remember our first match last season, away against Baskonia. There were several thousand people in the stands. It's hard to find such an atmosphere. But maybe I'll go back there someday.
Your place in Surne Bilbao was taken by… the Pole Tomasz Gielo. How do you assess this transfer?
I know him a bit, we played against him when he was at Zaragoza. He didn't play much then, but then he played a great match against us. I'm sure he'll like it in Bilbao. Both the city and the atmosphere at the club are great, I'm happy for him.
What convinced you to choose Dzik ó w Warszawa? It seems to be quite an unusual project. Suffice it to say that the club is only 7 years old and last season it debuted at the highest level of the game.
You can thank Jarek Mokros for that. (laughter) I played with him in Ostrów. After talking to the coach and Jarek, I said: why not? (laughter)
You've caught another debut for the Dziki , this time in European cups. What can you expect from the adventure with the European North Basketball League?
It's a great thing. I've played on two fronts a lot in recent years: PLK, ACB, and also FIBA Champions League and FIBA Europe Cup. ENBL will be a great experience for the team, as well as for the players, so that they can show themselves more widely. And above all for the club itself, debuting in European cups.
What will you be capable of in national competitions?
We have to achieve as much as we can. If we play the way we want to play, I believe we can do well. (smiles)
Interviewed by Damian Juszczyk
Wild Warsaw / SEC Newgate CEE