Spanish “Zaragoza” held the official presentation of Viktor Sanikidze and Jonathan Tabu, after what the basketball players of Georgia and Belgium trained for the first time in the new club.

Sanikidze opened the special press conference, who will play under the #13 in the Spanish League. “Vika” explained those reasons why he decided to join “Zaragoza”.

“I accepted the offer of “Zaragoza” with a great pleasure, because I knew that I was joining the perfect team. Last year, “Zaragoza” had good results and besides, my friend Giorgi Shermadini is already in this team. I also heard, that everybody love basketball in Zaragoza, and the Spanish League is one of the best in the World. In short, I had a lots of reasons to come here”.

Viktor also marked that he will do his best for team’s success next season: “I am ready”, to do the maximum for the progress of “Zaragoza”. I will try, to implement all the tasks given by the coach. It will be nice, if my work will help the team to fix the desirable results.”

It is interesting, that in 2004 Sanikidze played in Georgian U18 team in Europe Championship in Zaragoza. The Georgian was asked to remind that period at the press conference. “Yes, I remember, that I have already played in Zaragoza. This was 10 years ago and I really cannot tell a lot about this. It is important, that the fans of “Zaragoza” responded my transfer positively and they posted many warm comments to my Twitter. And it follows that everybody love basketball in this city”.

The Georgian forward also was asked about the previous Europe Championship and the experience which he got in “Montepaschi” Siena: “ I hope, that my role in “Zaragoza” will be important, just like it is in the national team. As for “Montepaschi”, I cannot say anything new. Everyone knows, that Siena has the strongest team, but now I am here and this is important. I played in Euro League with a shirt of Italian club, this time I will help Zaragoza at Euro Cup.”

Recall, that “Zaragoza” is not the first Spanish club for the Georgian forward. He was defending the honor of “Estudiantes” Madrid several years ago and got his first “Christening” there. Denoted was 7 years ago and it is a matter of course that everything was differently at that time. I was young and I really was not keeping the role of leader in the team, but the experience which I got there will help me very much”.

And what does Viktor think about his new teammates and the chances of Zaragoza?

“I have played against Rudezi, Tabu and Norelli and I know them. I do not say anything about Shermadini, to whom I play in the team and besides, I played against him 4 times at the club level.  For the first stage, it is enough to know 4 basketball players. I am sure, that we, all together, can fight for the highest goals. It goes without saying, the we have to go through the play off of the Spanish Championship, and in the Euro Cup we will fight for going through the “Fours Final”, - added “Vika”.

As we mentioned above, after the presentation, Sanikidze and Tabu hold their first practice, but before this they passed the medical inspection. As it was expected, the Georgian and the Belgian are quite healthy.

“Zaragoza” ended forming for the new season, Jose Louise Abos, head coach of the team, and Villy Vilar, sport director, emphasized that they expect successful play from the recruits.

“By transfers of Sanikidze and Tabu, we finally balanced the composition. These basketball players are coming with an ideal age and they have a lot of experience and ambition to help the team. I think, that the fans of “Zaragoza” have quite enough basis, to expect successful season from the team”, - noted Villar.

And here is what Abos said about Sanikidze: “We wanted to add a player on the place of Sanikidze and we are happy, that we managed to recruit Sanikidze. I observed his games for a long time and I also know how he participated in Italy. The Georgian basketball player can help the team”.

Before new season starts, “Zaragoza” have another 5 control matches, and one of 5 matches, will be held today in Longronies Sports Palace and “Zaragoza” will play against “Clavijo”. It is expected that Viktor Sanikidze will play for the first time in this match. 

Dato Manjavidze