Partizan basketball player, Frenk Nilikina, appeared as a guest on the show “They they love Serbia” on TV Arena sportwhere is sa Kristina Tomić shared his impressions about his arrival in the black and white team, a month and a half after the start of the season.
– I feel good, I’m excited. First of all, I think of the fans, twenty thousand people at the matches who support us, sing together. They cheer the team to win, and on the other hand they root for the opposing team to lose. It’s fantastic, people here have a passion for this sport. Now I enjoy being part of Partizan even more. I am excited and I hope we will have a good season”, said Nilikina, describing the atmosphere that welcomed him in Belgrade.
He also revealed that it is Partisan wanted to bring him last year, but then it was a priority NBA.
– It was a good and quick conversation. This year even faster than the previous one. Last season, maybe I couldn’t fully understand everything, because I wanted to get back to the NBA, that was my priority. When I told Željko that last year, he understood, he thought I was right. This summer we talked again, the situation was different, but the conversation was almost the same. He told me why he wanted me in Partizan and what we could achieve together. Of course we also talked about this environment, what it means to play basketball here. Everything happened quickly, I took some time to think after that conversation, but I didn’t hesitate too much. I accepted and everything finally came true he said.
I laughed pointed out that Željko Obradović was instrumental in his decision to come to Partisan, adding that the atmosphere and support he feels from the fans is extremely important.
– I heard that some other clubs wanted me to join them, and when there was a conversation with Partizan, I felt that this was the place where I would be accepted and where people wanted me. When you are a player, that factor is very important.
The connection with the fans, he says, is further strengthened by listening to fan songs at home on the day of the match.
– I admit that on game day I play fan songs at home to motivate myself. These are all the songs of the JNA Group. When I hear those songs, I feel the atmosphere, I imagine how the fans warm up and prepare for the game. That’s motivation for me before the games. Wearing a Partizan jersey and playing in Arena or Pionir makes me proud. As long as I am here, I will enjoy this experience to the fullest.
Before arriving in Belgrade, Frenk talked to Matijas Lesor, a friend and former teammate from the national team France, with whom he was in the course Olympic Games.
As for the season, I laughed believes that it will Partisan achieve significant success:
– Great group of guys, I’m grateful for that. We have already managed to establish a good connection between us. We want to work, train and win. So far, we have not performed as well as we wanted in the Euroleague, but it should be emphasized that this is a completely new team. We need time to get to know each other, to get used to the competition, to learn how the Euroleague is played, because for some of us it is a new experience. Also, we need time to get to know Željko, to understand what he wants to see from us players on the field. I see Partizan in the playoffs and I believe that we will at least get there. It will be difficult, but we have a feeling that with these guys in the team, anything is possible. We have great guys in the team, that’s why my expectations are like this.
About the upcoming derby with Red star he said:
– I saw footage and pictures from the derby, I also watched a documentary about the eternal derby. I believe it will be fun. If everything goes right, we will win.
Finally, Frank Nilikina addressed the fans Partizan:
– Partizan fans, thank you for your support. Thank you for being there, for being passionate and always ready. We will train hard and do our best to make this season as good as possible.
Source: hotsport.rs
