After the experience in Eurobasket, Beqiragiq starts work at Ylli with the aim of other trophies

After the elimination with Bosnia-Herzegovina in the group stage of the Eurobasket last week, coach Adis Beqiragiq has returned to Suhareka to continue working for the Golden Eagle Yllit team.

On Monday, Beqiragić started working for the current champion of Kosovo, as earlier he was unable to because of commitments to the Representative of Bosnia, where he had the role of selector. With Bosnia, Beqiragić finished fifth (penultimate) in EuroBasket Group B, whose matches were played in Cologne, Germany. In five games played, Beqiragić led Bosnia to two victories. It triumphed over Hungary (95:85) and Slovenia (97:93), while suffering from Germany (92:82), France (81:68) and Lithuania (87:70) to not advance to the knockout stage. Especially the victory over the current champion, Slovenia, was highly appreciated. But Bosnia generally showed good matches in Eurobasket.

Beqiragić held the first training session with Ylli on Monday, while on Tuesday he told KOĖN that the team still needs some time to be ready.

Ylli started the 2022/23 edition in the Kosovo Super League with a loss to Rahoveci (90:88) at the "Mizahir Isma" gym. The team was led by Beçiragić's assistants.

"I returned to Ylli and immediately started work. I think we are still not ready and we need at least 4-5 more rounds to be ready and composed for the game. We also need at least one more player to bring into the team. We must commit to finding at least one local player to complete the team and be ready", Beqiragiq admitted.

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Despite the fact that Ylli still needs some time and the competition this season is stronger than last season, Beqiragiq is convinced that his team will defend the champion title. In the last two editions, the star won the title with the Bosnian coach, who evaluated all the other teams and said that each match this edition will be strong and interesting, with a dramatic finish.

"I think that this year the league is much stronger and better quality. Also, each match will be a derby and very difficult because the competition is strong. More good coaches and quality players have arrived. It should not be forgotten that even teams like Trepça, Prishtina, Bashkimi and Peja have increased their budgets and have become very strong", Beqiragić admitted. "This means that it will not be easy for us to defend the title, which is our goal. However, I believe that at the end of the season we will be able to become champions of Kosovo again".

Beqiragić admitted that after the elimination of Bosnia in the Eurobasket, he did not lack offers, but added that he returned to Ylli to honor the contract. Last year he signed for two more years with the club from Suhareka, where he says he is satisfied with the conditions and everything else. Beqiragić called the Eurobasket experience extraordinary and revealed that he received praise, not only from basketball people, but also from his opponents for the game that Bosnia-Herzegovina showed.

"I am satisfied with the conditions I have at Ylli, the team with which I have a contract. I am a professional even though anything can happen, as no one knows the future. However, I feel good here and that's why I returned to Ylli to continue working and to respect the contract I have with the club", he said. "As for the participation in Eurobasket, I can say that based on the reactions of the people who were there, with Bosnia we played the best basketball in this tournament. And with the game shown, we deserved to be among the eight best teams, and this was also accepted by the coaches of the opposing teams we faced. The win over Slovenia was magnificent. Everyone said that we did a good job and played well, but the loss to Germany where we were injured on two occasions, I can say that it cost us a lot. After all, this was our fate. I can say that I am satisfied with my experience in Eurobasket and with what we have shown with the team in general".

In addition to the matches in the Kosovo Super League, Ylli is also preparing for his debut in the international arena. The Suharek team will appear in the qualifying tournament of the Champions League, which takes place at the end of this month in Lisbon, Portugal. Ylli will face Benfica in the quarterfinals, this match will take place on September 21. If he overcomes this obstacle, then in the semi-final he will play against Keravnos of Cyprus, where the winner of this duel will face the winner of the other semi-final between Budivelnyk/Norrkoping – Bamberg in the final on September 25.

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Coach Beqiragiq does not have much in mind for the Champions League, as he has insisted that his focus is on the Kosovo championship.

"Participation in the Champions League is a reward for the effort we have made during the last two seasons, in which we have won the title of champion. Above all, reward for the team and the city to appear in a European cup", said Beqiragiq. "Well, the main focus is on the Super League, as the goal is to play as well as possible and succeed. As for the European Cup, it's just a reward for all the work we've done so far."