“I have the Roca Team in my heart”: Interview with Guillaume Giordano
At 41, this Monegasque and father of three children never misses an AS Monaco Basket match, at home or away. A passion that he explains to us in the first issue of our new section: “I have the Roca Team in my heart”.
How did you fall in love with the club?
I discovered basketball in 1992. For the record, the little guy next to Michael Jordan on the front page of Monaco Matin dedicated to the Dream Team’s 30th anniversary in Monaco, that’s me! That’s how I fell into the pot, a bit like Obelix. I then played basket myself, in Monaco, at the departmental level. I played full back or winger, but I was more the kind of player who distributes water bottles (smile).
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It seems that you never miss a meeting of the Roca Team…
It’s true. Since the arrival of Sergey Dyadechko, I have plunged back into it. There weren’t many people in N1, but for two, three seasons, with the Euroleague posters in addition, the atmosphere is exceptional. People come back regularly to the room, I see the same faces come back each time. During certain European Cup matches, sometimes there are more people than in football!
My 9-year-old daughter also started following the team three years ago. We now travel together. We are also in the process of planning those for this season. I am a subscriber and I go to all home games, whether in the league or in the Euroleague. Outside, I watch all the matches on television. I only missed one last season. It was against Elan Chalon. I had caught Covid-19 and fell asleep just before the game. When I woke up, I saw that we had won. I fell asleep immediately with peace of mind.
What is your best memory as an AS Monaco Basket supporter?
It was this Rob Gray buzzer shot that allowed us to qualify for the Eurocup final. This is the first big shot in the modern history of the club, in a cleaver match. And then what about the title behind… These are moments that will remain forever etched in the history of the club.
Why not aim for a Final Four in the Euroleague with this group?
Guillaume Giordano
Who is your favorite player?
Amara Sy! I even sent him a message on Twitter when he retired. It is thanks to him that we are where we are today. When the club went up to Pro B, we were still a UFO. So when a legend of the French championship arrives, from ASVEL… Since that day, everyone has said to themselves that we were not there to pretend and that there was a real project behind the club.
And within the current workforce?
Well it’s Yakuba Ouattara, for the same reasons as Amara Sy. He grew up with the club and he is still there today. I have a soft spot for French players. This year, on one caught Yoan Makoundou and Matthew Strazel. That’s excellent news. For a few years, I campaigned for more French players to be taken on. They are promising young players who can be developed before they go to the NBA.
Precisely, what do you think of the work done for several seasons by the leaders of the club?
Sportingly, they are all good from start to finish. The only downside is the changes in staff each off-season. When you see Efes Istanbul, they win the Euroleague with a hard core that has remained the same for several seasons. But I think the club realized that during the last transfer window. The players who arrived signed for several seasons.
What do you think of the mercato precisely?
It is more than successful! We have a big armada. All positions are doubled, with quality. I sincerely believe that we can go very far this season. Why not aim for a Final Four in the Euroleague with this group?
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What are you expecting from this season?
Let there be fewer overtimes and more wins by fifteen points (smile). Last season, I did the math. We have contested fifteen or taken extensions. It’s hard on the heart rate of the supporters!
What would be your biggest dream as a supporter of the Roca Team?
Finally win the title of champion of France. And also benefit from a permanent team status in the Euroleague. This will require permanently establishing the club among the greats. I would also like Paul Lacombe to return to Monaco. I love the player, complete, collective, absolutely not individualistic. And for having exchanged a little with him on social networks, he is also super nice.