“We Must Use Every Minute to Improve” – Interview with Head Coach Zeljko Djokic

– You’ve had five weeks of preparation and five pre-season games. How would you evaluate this stretch from a coaching perspective?
– I feel that together with the coaching staff we worked extremely hard in recent weeks. Everything was carefully planned so we wouldn’t be caught off guard by unexpected situations. One of our top priorities was to make sure the players entered the season healthy and in good condition – and we managed that. Of course, there are always surprises along the way, but overall I’m satisfied. We stuck to our goals, and the players were highly motivated. The atmosphere was family-like, which made the grind much easier.

– What were the biggest challenges during this period?
– We were missing some key players during the entire preseason – Studer Ágnes, Lexi Held, and Nadija Smailbegovic couldn’t be with us the whole time. That forced us to rebuild certain tactical elements and rely on younger or newly integrated players. I expect them not only to adapt but to eventually take on leadership roles while feeling comfortable on the court. That made the process challenging, but also exciting.

– Which pre-season games stood out the most?
– I think we picked our opponents really well and managed to improve from game to game. Our most valuable matchups were in Venice, but the scrimmage against Sopron in Zalaegerszeg was also memorable. Unfortunately, several Sopron players went down with injuries in the first half, which gave both teams’ young players a chance to step up in the second. Overall, we played high-quality pre-season games, and each one allowed us to take another step forward.

– How did the younger players perform?
Several young players got opportunities, and they made the most of them. You can see their enthusiasm and progress, which is definitely promising for the future.

– Recently, the Hungarian Basketball Federation suspended Alíz Varga’s playing license for ten days. How does this impact the team?
– To be honest, I don’t really understand this rule. In my opinion, the national team should consist of players who want to be there, who are both mentally and physically ready, and who are motivated to represent the country. It’s not good when someone is forced. Alíz discussed the matter with the federation leaders, the Universiade coach, and everyone involved, and at the time it seemed everything was sorted. But now we find ourselves with this suspension, which is very difficult for us – especially as we’re preparing for the EuroCup. Losing a player for ten days at such a crucial stage, when everything is about building, is a real setback.

– Your first league game is in Székesfehérvár. What do you expect from this first step?
– Since it’s the first game of the season, we don’t know many specifics about the opponent. What we do know is that they have a new head coach, Tamás Gáll, who is very experienced – he’s worked in Zalaegerszeg and with the national team as well. He’s trying to bring in a new philosophy to Fehérvár. They’ve signed two American players who will likely be key contributors, and they also rely on their Hungarian core. It looks like they’re shaping into a strong, physical, attack-minded team. For us, defense will be the key. If we want to start the season the right way, we need to lock in on that end of the floor while continuing to grow tactically as a group.

– Finally, what message do you have for the fans before tip-off?
– They mean a lot to us. Last year in Székesfehérvár, they showed up in big numbers even on the road and created an amazing atmosphere. That kind of support gave us huge energy. I’d love to see that from the very first game this year, not just in the second half of the season. We have a very talented team with a lot of young players who have bright futures ahead. With the fans behind us, this community can be truly powerful.