KB Bashkimi of Prizren is making history, participating for the first time in international basketball competitions, specifically in the FIBA Europe Cup qualifiers. Facing them is a major challenge, Anwil Włocławek, one of the strongest and most successful teams in Poland.

Although the draw was not easy at all, optimism, preparation, and the desire to honor the city and the club are present in everyone, from coach Igor Jovovic, captain Altin Morina, to sports director Qëndrim Biraj. All three emphasize that the challenge is tough, but the promise is clear: Bashkimi will fight with everything to challenge the opponent and leave a mark on the European stage.

Coach Jovovic tells KosovaPress that his team will make life very difficult for the Polish rivals.

“Important or not, this is a great opportunity for the city of Prizren and for Bashkimi as a club to compete in the FIBA Europe Cup qualifiers. I am an optimist in life, but also realistic. We didn’t have much luck in the draw. We are facing a team that year after year is champion or runner-up in Poland. As someone who has already worked in that country, I know that Anwil is one of the major powers there. Great organization, high-quality squad, and also a good fan base, so it will be very difficult for us. But I think we have to make life uncomfortable for them, especially here in the first game in Prizren, and challenge them strongly,” Jovovic emphasized.

The team captain, Altin Morina, admits that the opponent is very strong, but he promises to give his maximum on the court together with his teammates.

“As we know, Bashkimi is participating in international competitions for the first time, it is very important for us, it is history. We are preparing quite well. We have a very strong opponent, as we know two years ago they were even champions of this league, but we have nothing left to do except give our maximum against them and show good results in Europe,” Morina declared.

The club’s Sports Director, Qëndrim Biraj, is also optimistic. He says the team will seek a positive result, especially in the first game held in Prizren.

“Realistically, it is historic for Bashkimi to play on the international stage. The draw was such that we face one of the strongest opponents in this qualifying round among 16 teams. We have started analyzing the opponent, Anwil, it is known that they have a very good team, but we will not give up until the end, we will give everything from ourselves and hope to achieve a positive result, at least here as hosts,” Biraj said.

Both coach Jovovic and captain Morina have requested strong support from the fans, considering them as the sixth player and a major push to seek the best on this historic journey./KosovaPress