Ivanyi Targets Final Four

30.01.2006

MiZo-Pecs star guard Dalma Ivanyi insists her team's sole objective in the EuroLeague Women is to make it into the Final Four.

Judging from their form in the group stage when they were the only side to beat the seemingly-invincible BC Volgaburmash, they should make it.

The Hungarian outfit, who won nine of 10 games in Group A, meet Lotus Gdynia in the eighth-final play-offs on Tuesday.

Ivanyi, the inspirational floor general who has averaged 11.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and six assists for Pecs, said: "In Europe, there are so many good teams around so our aim is to get to the Final Four. It's the same every year.

"I would be happy to get to the Final Four because it would be the third straight year we'll have done it. It will show that although we have different players each year, we are still consistent and that is important.

"I would not say we are one of the favourites. But we have been playing very well and home advantage gives us a good chance.

"If we get to the Final Four, it depends on luck, injuries and who can demonstrate their skills best on the day."

Ivanyi, who is set to be a star performer in March's All-Star game after finishing top of the polls in voting for the European players, reckons her side need to become more consistent if they are to have a chance of reaching the latter stages of the competition.

"We have to play for the whole 40 minutes," she added. "We often start games well and then slow down.

"I'd like to see us play the whole game at the same level. Our offence could also be more creative and sometimes we wait for our team-mates to do things rather than taking responsibility ourselves."

Pecs are favourites to brush aside the challenge of Lotus, who qualified despite winning just two of their 10 games in Group B.

Ivanyi, however, is taking nothing for granted, especially with the Polish side having a couple of handy Americans - Chelsea Newton and Temeka Johnson - in their ranks.

"It will be a difficult match," she concluded. "I think they finished in 14th spot in qualifying but that position is deceiving. They are not that bad.

"They are offensive-minded so we have to play good defence. They have got players from the USA this season so it will be interesting to see what their team chemistry is like.

"But we have to concentrate on our own game."


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