Sobin targets Final redemption as Anwil chase history

WLOCLAWEK (Poland) - Josip Sobin has been here before: helping a Polish team reach the Final of FIBA Europe Cup. But this time, the Croatian is hoping for a different outcome.

In the 2020-21 season, Sobin was part of the Arged BMSLAM Stal side that finished as runners-up to Ironi Ness Ziona in the Final. Fast forward two years and it's another chance for the 33-year-old to get his hands on the coveted piece of silverware with Anwil Wloclawek aiming to become the first Polish side to lift a European title.

"IT'S GOING TO BE EXTRA MOTIVATION BECAUSE OF THAT LOSS. BUT FINAL IS FINAL - IT'S SOMETHING SPECIAL."

The 'Rottweilers' were eliminated at the Round of 16 stage in that same season, but will go up against French side Cholet Basket over two legs with Sobin keen to be on the winning side this time around.

"I played in the Final before, but I lost that game. It means now it's going to be extra motivation because of that loss. But generally, I am sure we will all be highly motivated. Final is Final - it's just something special."

Anwil have lost four times at home in the competition this season, but momentum is key and they enjoyed a convincing 157-134 victory over Karhu Basket in the Semi-Finals in which they set the tone at home.

They pulled clear for a 19-point triumph in the first leg in Wloclawek and they will play in front of their passionate home support again to open up the Finals. Sobin is hoping for a similar success for his side to get onto the front foot in the eagerly anticipated tie.

Sobin added: "Of course it is important to set the tone in the first game just to let the opponents know that it won't be easy for them. We did it in the Semi-Finals and obviously we want to repeat it in the Finals.

"We want to play the best possible game in our city, in front of our fans in Wloclawek.

"I am expecting a really good atmosphere from our fans - I am expecting great support from them. In fact, we always had that from them and they always give us a lot of energy when we need it and when there are hard moments during the games."

Sobin is averaging 10.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game for Anwil in FIBA Europe Cup action this season as one of five players in double digits in scoring - led by the sharp shooting American guard Phillip Greene.

The Polish side rank third in scoring - 85.7 PPG - and are just behind Cholet in the assists charts with Sobin believing that is really is teamwork that is making the dream work for his side.

"Our biggest strength this season is just playing as a team," he declared. "I think our style can be described as playing for one another.

"We have a lot of assists in most games, we share the ball well and we are always focused on passing the ball to the player who is in the better position."

Cholet will of course have other ideas to get Anwil out of their comfort zone as the French side provide stern opposition in the two-legged Finals. It can often be fine margins that decide big games, and Sobin warns that his team will need to be ready for the battle against a top team.

"I think Cholet is a very good team. We need to be well-prepared, play good defense, be concentrated and give everything what we can in these two games and then, we will see and we will live with the result."

History awaits the victor and a fast start on home soil could go a long way to propelling Anwil closer to a maiden European title.

FIBA