We interviewed the Croatian coach of Polish nationality Igor Milicic, a great protagonist in recent seasons in the Polish championship. Milicic was born in Slavonski Brod in 1976 and has won numerous trophies first with Anwil and recently with the championship with Stal Ostrow.
You have been coaching as head coach in Poland for about seven years. What level is basketball and the Polish league given that the most important players are from other countries?
“I had started coaching 7 years ago in Poland when I stopped playing basketball at a professional level. Polish basketball was different. Now, Usually we have a budget which can’t compete with best teams in Europe. Players after good season leaving Poland for big contracts. So every season are produced new stars. Competition is on high level. I’m looking for best players with huge ambitions to produce and develope in tough conditions regardless from what country they are”.
Stal Ostrow had an amazing season and Poland won the title. How did you feel? What were your emotions?
“With Coronavirus around and not friendly coaching market at the time, I took the job. I took the team in december, it wasn’t a great situation. With few changes team started to play better and better, witch led to great playoff and Fiba Europe Cup run and at the end we won the championship. It was a huge surprise. It was a first trophy for organization and city was on fire”.
What memories do you have of your experience as head coach at Anwil Wloklawek? Keeping in mind you weresuccessful lots of times, I think: two Polish Championships, one Polish Cup and two Super Cups
“I won those titles with Anwil before I took Stal Ostrow. It was very hard to become such dominant powerhouse in Poland. Unfortunately with the Covid starts lot of things broke a part. It was great part of my career. Now, I am happy to win another title this year with another team”.
Why did you choose Poland to play and train basketball?
“At the beginning when I was 20/21 years old, in Croatia wasn’t best economic situation. I had to go abroad. I got the offer from Poland in 99’. I spent 3 years there, met my wife and got Citizenship. Beside stunts in Russia, Belgium and Turkey, spent most of career in Poland. It was natural to continue training in Poland as coach”.
What do you think of Italian basketball, teams and players?
“Two years ago I had the chance to play against Avellino and they were very talented. I think it’s very complexed issue to compare Italian and Polish basketball. I believe Italian players are full of talent and tough. Poland is more tactical and physical. Armani is obviously the top team but there are other excellent teams like Venezia, Virtus Bologna and Trento. Great players like Rodriguez, Hines, Datome and Teodosic arrived in last two years so the level really raised up”.
Would you like to coach in Italy?
“Italy would be a target for any coach at some point as it is a league that is improving and increasing its level. I would love to be in Italy!”
How do you live in Poland?
“I live in a beautiful city with my family. In Poland is a high rise economy. Standard of living is very, very high. You can get everything you need and it is cheaper than in the rest of Europe. When living next to the Sea it has to be great”
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