MKD – Ilievski in a great moment

VILNIUS (EuroBasket 2011) - There has not been a more unexpected success story at the EuroBasket in Lithuania than the rise of FYR of Macedonia, and one of the key men has been Vlado Ilievski.

The veteran guard pulled all the right strings on Saturday as the Macedonians defeated Slovenia, 68-59.

Already in the Quarter-Finals before that win, the Macedonians now have a chance to enter the last eight as the top seed from Group F.

That will be decided on Monday when they go up against Russia in a battle for first place.

Macedonia have lost just once at the EuroBasket, and that was on opening day to Montenegro.

Ilievski spoke to FIBA.com after Saturday's win.

FIBA: Tell about guard Bo McCalebb and what he means to Macedonia.
Bo McCalebb is a very important player for us. I think alongside Tony Parker, they are the two most athletic players in this tournament.

FIBA: What were the expectations for this team before you travelled to Lithuania?
Having finished ninth place in Poland two years ago, everyone wanted us to repeat this. But for sure when looking at our group with Croatia, Montenegro, Greece and Bosnia & Herzegovina, a lot of teams with a lot of quality players, we used to say we can lose all five games or we can win all five games. We didn't know what was going to happen. We lost our first game in overtime and everybody though 'Ughh, now it's over they lost against the opponent we were supposed to beat' but then we really surprised everybody, we showed a big heart and a lot of character. The unity of the team is really unforgettable and just an example to future generations of Macedonia, how to be a team and how to represent your country.

FIBA: Now, Vlado, there's a very real possibility that Macedonia can at least make it to next year's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Have you thought about that?
It's a dream come true if it comes true. Being in the Olympics for Macedonian sports is something that you can say it's unreachable and you can say that being so close, it will give us more motivation and more energy to succeed and do this. We are not stopping with this result that we have now, we are not satisfied, we want more. We want to do that, reach the Olympics if we can.

FIBA: What sort of high are you on right now after six straight wins?
It's a great feeling but at the same time it's very physically emotional. It drains you. As the tournament progresses, the teams you face become harder. The teams that make it to the last eight are teams that have a lot of character, great players and big ambition, and I really admire that. Now I see what it's like to be here, to be at the Quarter-Finals you realize that it's not a result that is within reach in the future. It sinks in. To be a contender for a medal you have to be very strong.

FIBA: Are people back home Skopje getting excited about this run by the team?
This impact back home will be exceptional. From what I hear now, everybody in our country is saying 'Mummy, Daddy, I want to play basketball' and it's truly amazing. Basketball and any sport in our country because of the financial situation is in a low level but I hope that the government has a potential in sports and maybe it will do something. I think they are doing it, they are building new arenas and creating new projects. But I think with this result, it will be even greater, especially for the younger generations.

FIBA: How does this event compare to the EuroBasket in Poland?
For me it's a little bit different this tournament because in Poland I was injured. The tournament I last played in was 12 years ago as a teenager. For me it's kind of hard to play four or five games in a row and play 40 minutes. It's very physical, very tough but I think that I am keeping my head calm and in a way, I'm making sure the team doesn't lose its balance. I am enjoying my role, I had a bad shooting roll but that is not noticeable when you are winning games. As long as we are winning, I'm satisfied.

FIBA: How is Vlado Ilievski different now to several years ago?
"I am more mature as a player, have more games in my body, more difficult ones. I'm still enjoying basketball, I'm still looking for goals in my life to make myself better. I'm very happy for my career, how it has gone so far. I hope I can play a couple of more years at a high level."

FIBA