"I loved playing and living in Spain, but I wanted to play more. I am ready for a bigger role. From a professional development perspective, it seemed like a better choice to come to Poland," said Denzel Andersson after his transfer from Surne Bilbao Basket to Dziki Warszawa. He is going to share his international experience in Dziki, debuting in the European North Basketball League in the upcoming season.
You previously played in the Polish Basketball League two years ago, for Arged BM Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski. Where did the idea to return to Polish basketball courts come from?
For me personally, the reason was to get a bigger role and play more. I loved being and playing in Spain, but I believe that, from a professional development perspective, it was a better choice to come and play here in Dziki.
You spent the last two seasons with the Spanish CB Bilbao Berri. Was it too hot in Spain? (laugh)
It was super nice out there, but it was more like playing defense. Of course, I like playing defense, but I wanted to contribute more on offense. I was talking to the coach before signing here, and he said I would be a perfect fit.
Will you not be missing the regular matches with Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and other Euroleague and FIBA Champions League giants?
For sure. I remember last season and our first game, away against Baskonia. There were like 17,000 people in the stands. The atmosphere is hard to switch out. But maybe one day I will be back there.
Your place in Surne Bilbao was taken by... Pole Tomasz Gielo. How do you evaluate this transfer?
I know a bit about him, I even played against him when he was in Saragossa. Then he didn’t play so much, but later he played more against us and had a great game. I am sure he is going to enjoy playing in Bilbao. Both the city and the atmosphere in the club are very nice, so I am happy for him.
Where does Polish club basketball currently stand compared to the top European leagues?
I think the Polish league is more physical, the basketball is stricter than in Spain. In Spain, it is strict too, but rather tactical, and not so physical.
What convinced you to join Dziki Warszawa? This seems to be quite an exceptional team. Suffice it to mention that the club is only 7 years old, and last season it made its debut at the highest level in Poland.
You can thank Jarek Mokros for that. (laugh) I played with him in Ostrów, so it was a plus he was going to be here. I was talking to the coach, right after that to Jarek, and I thought, why not? (laugh)
However, you caught up with another debut for Dziki, this time in the European competition. What can you expect from your adventure with the European North Basketball League?
It is going to be fun. In the last couple of years, I have also been playing in two competitions, like, ACB or the Polish League, as well as in the FIBA Champions League or FIBA Europe Cup. ENBL is going to be a good experience for the team, exposure for everybody, and, of course, great adventure for Dziki as a club to debut in the European competition.
What will you be able to do in the national competition?
Do as well as we can. If we play the way we want to play, we are going to do something good, I think. (laugh)
Interview by Damian Juszczyk
Dziki Warszawa / SEC Newgate CEE
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