Szolnoki Olaj star Vojvoda hopes to carry national team momentum into FIBA Europe Cup

ISTANBUL (FIBA Europe Cup/FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - David Vojvoda was among the key players for Hungary in their successful display at the FIBA EuroBasket 2017, but his role for Szolnoki Olaj in the FIBA Europe Cup Qualifying Rounds will be even greater.

Having helped Hungary achieve their first Final Round victory after nearly half a century break with wins over the Czech Republic and Romania in Cluj-Napoca, the 27-year-old shooting guard formed a lethal one-two punch with star man Adam Hanga.

"All of the people in Hungary are proud of us now. It has been an unbelievable 10 days, as we managed to win two games after a 48-year drought. It was a very good adventure for us and we proved that we are close to the best teams," Vojvoda told FIBA.basketball after the Round of 16 exit to Serbia.

Seeing their leader average 16.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in the FIBA EuroBasket 2017, the Szolnoki fans will be feeling hopeful that he carries over the momentum into the decisive qualification games in the FIBA Europe Cup.

In order to clinch a place in the Regular Season, the Hungarian side will need to get past Turkish side Trabzonspor and Sodertalje Kings from Sweden in the two Qualification Rounds.

"It's not going to be very simple to go back to my team in Szolnok because we start the FIBA Europe Cup in just a few days. The game against Trabzonspor could be the most important game of the season," offered the player, looking ahead.

Szolnok participated in the inaugural season of the Basketball Champions League last season, but were handed an unexpected upset against Zalakeramia ZTE KK in the Quarter-Finals of the Hungarian league Play-Offs.

"It's obvious that we want to play as many European games as possible, that's why it's very important for Szolnok to reach the Regular Season of the FIBA Europe Cup. Otherwise, we would just be playing in the Hungarian championship," explained Vojvoda.

Szolnok managed to retain two of their key players in Luksa Andric and David Vojvoda from last season, but the roster turnovers has been quite large during the summer, with only five returning players on the team.

The club parted ways with two national team players, Krisztian Wittman and Janos Eilingsfeld, but brought in Hungary international Peter Kovacs as a replacement alongside a new cast of foreigners, who might need time to get a feel for each other.

However, Vojvoda already demonstrated he is in his best game shape at FIBA EuroBasket 2017 and he will be ready to roll with the new-look Szolnok team.  

"We need some rest now. I will try to do my best to help Szolnok. But it's not going to be easy, because we will only have a couple of days of preparation before the first game. But we are professionals and we have to do our best," he promised.

The Hungarian team will begin their Qualification Round campaign against Trabzonspor at home in Szolnok on September 20 before playing the return leg in Turkey exactly a week later.

FIBA