Incredible fan passion still driving ACS Sepsi

SFANTU GHEORGHE (EuroCup Women) - One of the highlights of the EuroCup Women season so far has been the numerous intense atmospheres created by the passionate fans of Romanian champions, ACS Sepsi.

In their distinctive green and white colors and always offering a wall of noise, we caught up with the club's head coach Zoran Mikes to find out more and also ask him about the wider prospects for women's ball in Romania.

FIBA.com: Tell us about the supporters of ACS Sepsi who seem to provide very special support?
Zoran Mikes: Our fans are famous as the most passionate fans in Romania and now recognized as one of the best in European women's basketball. We're happy to be part of the atmosphere they create and enjoy it. The choreography is something we will remember for our whole lives. They have incredible energy, not only at our home games, but our away games too and it won't be a surprise if they come to Athens [for the Play-Offs Round 1]. Sfantu Gheorghe is a small city, but full of people with big hearts and they're true lovers of women’s basketball. They come as part of a family tradition to support the team - it's a trademark of the city. As the results of the club become better, the support becomes even greater. That energy starts from team intros and acts as a wind on our backs in the crucial moments of games. We don't feel pressure, we just feel extra confidence. The fans recognize our players fight only for the name Sepsi SIC on the front of their jerseys - not their own name on the back.

FIBA.com: How important is it for women's basketball in Romania generally to deliver success with Sepsi?
ZM: The Romanian Basketball Federation have successfully aligned and harmonized the conditions for women's clubs to compete in domestic championships and FIBA club competitions. The number of non-European players in domestic competition has decreased from 5 or 6 in previous years, to a maximum of 3 this year. Teams in European club competitions can be awarded one additional European player and this motivates more Romanian teams to play in EuroCup Women and collect points for a better ranking of Romanian women's basketball. I think that our good results will give a positive impact for women's basketball in general in Romania and we want to be a leader among other good teams in the country. I'm positive that next season, we will have the Romanian flag in the competition again and I hope with more teams, because this is also something which is making a better image of the Romanian League which is actually quite strong.

FIBA.com: As someone who is not Romanian but works in the country, why has the national team found it difficult recently and what positives are there for future years?
ZM: I have been amazed visiting the mini basketball championships which are very well organized by the Romanian Basketball Federation. There are some really talented girls and boys. Around 5,000 kids are going through these Championships every year and at the age of 13 to 14, they are showing great potential and talent. Perhaps the move to high school changes things for a lot of them. Modern life is giving a lot of opportunities in every field of life and as coaches, we all need to fight more to attract teenage players and to keep them motivated to work harder. The priority is to change that work ethic in younger players and this will be transferred to the senior levels with the right infrastructure and support. The Federation has already shown its capabilities by organizing major tournaments and I think Romania has several good senior players who are all making a big impact at their respective clubs at a high level in Europe. I'm sure the people leading the national team know how to put those already established players together with some new players from younger generations, so results will be good in the future. Of course, results can't be achieved overnight, but a consistent working system will make Romania competitive in the long term and they will always participate on the big stage where they belong with their tradition.

FIBA.com: Tell us about this project at Sepsi and also what you expect from this next stage of EuroCup Women in the Play-Off Round 1 against Olympiacos?
ZM: Since I came to Sepsi in 2013, I have been creating a good working environment which is one of our main goals to achieve better results, so we can remain at a higher level for a longer period. We put our focus on making it a long-term project, to build the club structure and infrastructure. In the last three years, we've won two Championships and two Cups - as well as three regular seasons in a row. Thanks to the City of Sfantu Gheorghe, we got a new sport hall, the Sepsi Arena which is our new home. All this was a fantastic achievement for the club and credit goes to everyone, players, club management, my assistants who are doing such a great job and of course, our great fans!

From a coaching standpoint, my ethos is that I'm very demanding. I always ask for something more - perfection. I'm never satisfied, which is maybe good because it is forcing me to think all the time how to improve, to make adjustments and to give the best I can. I'm very direct in communication, I'm demanding, I'm a critic and a self critic - although sometimes people or players don't like that straightness. But it is necessary in this job to make everything clear and create a true team who is always ready to go until the end.

To prepare for the game against Olympiacos is not going to be easy. They are strong, but we feel good with our results so far as we have already played tough teams and we're going to be difficult to beat. We must focus on the little things and details. The importance of this tie shouldn't change our routine and our approach to preparation. We will stick with our philosophy by playing hard defense and trying to be our best. I never promise we will advance, but we will work hard and whoever works hard, earns the right to dream about it.

FIBA