Inspired by a legend, Final Four hopeful Hof embraces life at Avenida

SALAMANCA (Spain) - In her third season with Perfumerias Avenida, center Emese Hof is turning heads with her performances and is now just one win away from consecutive Final Four appearances.

The Spanish team were successful in the first game of their Quarter-Finals series against Spar Girona and, having made a run to the title game last season, this is already turning into another exciting ride.

We caught up with the 25-year-old Netherlands international to find out more about her rise with Avenida and experiences in the competition.

WHAT ARE YOUR REFLECTIONS ON MAKING LAST YEAR'S FINAL?

"Last year was amazing and also crazy because of the bubbles and the postponed games. We just had such a good group of people and because of that, I loved everyone on the team. It was so much fun, even in the bubble environments.

"Going into the Final Four last year, people were expecting us to win against Sopron and I'm not even sure if we really did ourselves. I mean, we knew we could, but maybe we weren't truly expecting anything. Then, when we beat them, that feeling of knowing we were going to the Final was the best part - having those feelings of excitement and relief.

"Playing the Final we actually felt we had a shot against UMMC, but it wasn't to be. However, overall it was a wild ride and I was just happy to share it with a special group of people."

HOW IS TO PLAY WITH  'CAPTAIN FANTASTIC' SILVIA DOMINGUEZ?

"Coming out of college and then into this team and having Silvia Dominguez as my captain is pretty special.

"We actually sit next to each other in the locker room in the corner and we have our inside jokes. She is super sweet and caring, but at the same time, she is so resilient and strong-willed on the court. She is a person that always leads by example and when she talks, you listen.

"When it's time for her to step up, she delivers and steps up in a grand way. Just playing with her in terms of her passing and her basketball IQ is so much fun and especially as a post player. These are things you never take for granted - having an inspirational leader like her."

HOW ARE YOU HANDLING THE 'TOUGH LOVE' OF COACH INIGUEZ?

"Roberto is a great coach and it's no coincidence that wherever he goes, his teams are competing in Quarter-Finals, Final Fours and Finals. He's been at the highest level for more than 10 years.

"He just knows what it takes to compete and he demands that of you too. You know it's going to be uncomfortable sometimes as he pushes the kind of buttons that you never even knew you had. But it's always to make both you and the team better.

"I have learned a lot from him and especially defensively. I've improved and I think I am now being more focused when the game starts, in terms of what lies ahead and what I need to be doing . He helps me a lot and it's great to play under him, but always tough as well."

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE FORCE OF THE 'BLUE TIDE'?

"Our fans are great. They are always there and support us through thick and thin..

"It has not been easy for them in recent years with the limited capacity, and some people obviously didn't manage to get tickets, yet they all still found ways to support us in different ways. I certainly prefer playing for them and having them cheering for me, rather than them being against me. Luckily I have not experienced that yet.

"My family ask me how I can even play in this atmosphere because it is so loud the whole game. But I am used to it now, I love it and they really help us to compete at a high level. I am just so happy they are on my side and I would not have it any other way."

GROWING UP, WHAT DID YOU THINK OF  EUROLEAGUE WOMEN?

"Honestly, I didn't even know there was this huge women's basketball scene out there, but when I was 15 years old and went to the Talents Team in Amsterdam, we went on this trip one time to Bourges. I remember we drove eight hours in some little mini vans and when we got there, I think apart from probably Chatilla Van Grinsven, I had no idea who else was even playing in the game.

"I was just so surprised by the teams, the level, their entourages and all those fans watching women's basketball. It was just this whole magical place and I remember being so overwhelmed by it.

"That is how I grew up with it and back then, I just never thought that I would be playing it in now and doing so well with a EuroLeague Women team."

AND NOW, WHAT HAVE YOUR LEARNED ABOUT EUROLEAGUE WOMEN ?

 

"I have learned that it can be brutal at times. Traveling through the night sometimes, catching flights early in the morning, and this has to be factored into the difficult of playing. I have now realized that this side of things is part of it - I just didn't realize looking at it from the outside previously.

"The level of the opponents constantly shows why it is the highest-level league because you have to bring your 'A game' every single time. That is the true  beauty of it and why I love playing in EuroLeague Women."

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