Barbosa in English
O técnico Antônio Carlos Barbosa é o entrevistado da semana no site da FIBA.
Confira as declarações do prefeito.
Brazil's buoyant Barbosa expects big things
RIO DE JANEIRO (Olympics) - Antonio Carlos Barbosa led Brazil's women's basketball team to the bronze medal at Sydney 2000 and he's aiming to go even higher on the podium in Athens this summer.
With veteran Janeth providing leadership, Barbosa is hoping that her experience will rub off on the team's younger players in the squad.
Most of the other coaches at the Olympics are calling the United States strong favourites but Barbosa, who like his Puerto Rican men's team colleague Julio Toro studied law, puts up a convincing argument that his players are good enough to capture gold.
Barbosa, speaking to PA International's Sergio Ferraro on behalf of FIBA, looked ahead to Brazil's chances at the Athens Games.
PA International: "The Olympics should be extremely competitive this year. How do you rate Brazil's chances of claiming the gold medal?"
Barbosa: "We have a team in great condition to challenge for the top. It's a very mature group, with a great mix of experienced and young players. I think we will fight for a medal with the USA, Russia, Australia and China, and the Czech team and Spain will not be far behind."
PA International: "Is the USA team unbeatable?"
Barbosa: "No, our target is the gold medal and I think we can win it. The USA team may play at a higher level than the other teams, but it is not impossible for us to beat them. I'm sure we can defeat them."
PA International: "The draw for the tournament put you in the same group as Japan, Greece, Russia, Nigeria and Australia. What are you thoughts on the group?"
Barbosa: "Some people say it's the easier group, but I think that's a short-sighted view. Maybe Greece are not at the same level as Spain or the Czech Republic, but Japan defeated Korea, so we have to consider that they are tougher opponents than the Koreans. And we have the European champions, Russia, and one of the top teams in the world, Australia, so we see it as a tough group. There are no easy groups in the Olympics."
PA International: "Spain play with a lot of passion, the Americans are experienced with a lot of depth, the Australians are strong defensively with a superstar in Lauren Jackson. What do you consider to be the main strengths in your Brazil team?"
Barbosa: "We have a very balanced team, with very good long range shooters and we are also strong in the paint, underneath the boards. So we are a tough team to defend, because we have lots of ideas going forward. We have a good balance between the outside and the inside game."
PA International: "What do you feel the team needs to work on before the Games?"
Barbosa: "We always have to work a lot on our defensive game. Brazilian players don't like to defend - it's not in their character - and we have to give that a lot of attention. Offensively we are a much more complete team, but when the opponents have the ball, we still have to improve to match the best teams.
PA International: "Does having so many of your squad playing in Europe make a difference?"
Barbosa: "For sure, we have 10 players abroad now, and that helps a lot. Playing in strong leagues in Europe gives them the habit of playing strong, hard and physical rivals. That is something they can't get very often in the Brazilian league."
PA International: "Playing abroad can give the players good experience, but are they more likely to be tired for Athens after such a demanding season?"
Barbosa: "Yes, it is a problem. But we will have two and a half months to prepare the team, so we should be able to heal any injury and make sure that players who need rest will get it."
PA International: "Are you satisfied with the preparations you will have made before the start of the Games?"
Barbosa: "Yes, we will work for more than two months and we will face some good opponents like the Cuban team. They could have been in the Olympics, if America was offered one more spot. Then we will travel to Europe to play a tournament against the continental champions: Russia, Australia, China, Nigeria, plus Greece, the hosts."
PA International: "What kind of basketball can the fans expect when they see the Brazil team?"
Barbosa: "We play at a high tempo, with lots of long-range shooting and strong play under the boards."
PA International: "If you were not a basketball coach, what would you want to be do in life?
Barbosa: "I graduated in law, so I would be working as a lawyer. But I think my studies also helped me in basketball. I believe a leader should have good culture, and I got that by studying to be a lawyer."
O técnico Antônio Carlos Barbosa é o entrevistado da semana no site da FIBA.
Confira as declarações do prefeito.
Brazil's buoyant Barbosa expects big things
RIO DE JANEIRO (Olympics) - Antonio Carlos Barbosa led Brazil's women's basketball team to the bronze medal at Sydney 2000 and he's aiming to go even higher on the podium in Athens this summer.
With veteran Janeth providing leadership, Barbosa is hoping that her experience will rub off on the team's younger players in the squad.
Most of the other coaches at the Olympics are calling the United States strong favourites but Barbosa, who like his Puerto Rican men's team colleague Julio Toro studied law, puts up a convincing argument that his players are good enough to capture gold.
Barbosa, speaking to PA International's Sergio Ferraro on behalf of FIBA, looked ahead to Brazil's chances at the Athens Games.
PA International: "The Olympics should be extremely competitive this year. How do you rate Brazil's chances of claiming the gold medal?"
Barbosa: "We have a team in great condition to challenge for the top. It's a very mature group, with a great mix of experienced and young players. I think we will fight for a medal with the USA, Russia, Australia and China, and the Czech team and Spain will not be far behind."
PA International: "Is the USA team unbeatable?"
Barbosa: "No, our target is the gold medal and I think we can win it. The USA team may play at a higher level than the other teams, but it is not impossible for us to beat them. I'm sure we can defeat them."
PA International: "The draw for the tournament put you in the same group as Japan, Greece, Russia, Nigeria and Australia. What are you thoughts on the group?"
Barbosa: "Some people say it's the easier group, but I think that's a short-sighted view. Maybe Greece are not at the same level as Spain or the Czech Republic, but Japan defeated Korea, so we have to consider that they are tougher opponents than the Koreans. And we have the European champions, Russia, and one of the top teams in the world, Australia, so we see it as a tough group. There are no easy groups in the Olympics."
PA International: "Spain play with a lot of passion, the Americans are experienced with a lot of depth, the Australians are strong defensively with a superstar in Lauren Jackson. What do you consider to be the main strengths in your Brazil team?"
Barbosa: "We have a very balanced team, with very good long range shooters and we are also strong in the paint, underneath the boards. So we are a tough team to defend, because we have lots of ideas going forward. We have a good balance between the outside and the inside game."
PA International: "What do you feel the team needs to work on before the Games?"
Barbosa: "We always have to work a lot on our defensive game. Brazilian players don't like to defend - it's not in their character - and we have to give that a lot of attention. Offensively we are a much more complete team, but when the opponents have the ball, we still have to improve to match the best teams.
PA International: "Does having so many of your squad playing in Europe make a difference?"
Barbosa: "For sure, we have 10 players abroad now, and that helps a lot. Playing in strong leagues in Europe gives them the habit of playing strong, hard and physical rivals. That is something they can't get very often in the Brazilian league."
PA International: "Playing abroad can give the players good experience, but are they more likely to be tired for Athens after such a demanding season?"
Barbosa: "Yes, it is a problem. But we will have two and a half months to prepare the team, so we should be able to heal any injury and make sure that players who need rest will get it."
PA International: "Are you satisfied with the preparations you will have made before the start of the Games?"
Barbosa: "Yes, we will work for more than two months and we will face some good opponents like the Cuban team. They could have been in the Olympics, if America was offered one more spot. Then we will travel to Europe to play a tournament against the continental champions: Russia, Australia, China, Nigeria, plus Greece, the hosts."
PA International: "What kind of basketball can the fans expect when they see the Brazil team?"
Barbosa: "We play at a high tempo, with lots of long-range shooting and strong play under the boards."
PA International: "If you were not a basketball coach, what would you want to be do in life?
Barbosa: "I graduated in law, so I would be working as a lawyer. But I think my studies also helped me in basketball. I believe a leader should have good culture, and I got that by studying to be a lawyer."
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário