Sonja Petrovic: Renewed Hopes In Bourges

In France With Sonja Petrovic

The folding of UB Barça before the Spanish league season began caused the dispersal of their players. Among them was a pure talent, Sonja Petrovic, who didn’t missed the opportunity of signing for Bourges Basket, one of the France’s top teams, current runner-up of the French league that will play the Euroleague.

During the LFB Open, on the weekend of 27 and 28 of October French fans could witness Sonja Petrovic’s premiére in France, where, for sure, she’ll make an impact. We catch up with her via internet about Bourges as well as the last summer when she became part of the Serbia’s senior team at the EuroBasket…

LOK@S: How do you face this new stage in Bourges?

Sonja: This one completely new experience for me. Bourges is a big and great club, with fantastic opportunities that I can use to improve myself. I have the chance to work with great coaches and players from which I can learn a lot.

LOK@S: How did you get the chance to play in Bourges?

Sanja: Bourges also wanted me last season, but at that time I had already signed for Barcelona. After cutting Barcelona this summer they called again, I didn’t think twice, immediately I said yes.

LOK@S: What was your first reaction when you knew that Bourges wanted you?

Sonja: I was really honoured, it is a really big club, an Euroleaugue club, with great organisation, but also in last years they start giving a chance for younger player to prove themselves, so it’s really right place for me to develop like player.

LOK@S: Do you feel some kind of pressure for playing in such an important club, and also playing EuroLeague?

Sonja: I don’t feel pressure, but I know where I came in and that everybody is expecting the biggest results from us. This year we have good team so I hope that we will have also good results.

LOK@S: How has been your adaptation so far? Has it been easier since this is your second year as a pro?

Sonja: Yes, it is much easier than last year and I really like here. Town, club, organisation, everything is really great, so I’m feeling very good and comfortable.

LOK@S: What has Pierre Vincent asked to you? What’s going to be your role?

Sonja: We spoke a lot, he asked me what was exactly my position, I told him its 2-3, so we talked about things that I do best, but also what should I improve and how he can use me in this team.

LOK@S: What are your personal goals for this season?

Sonja: First thing that I want is to justify the trust that the club and the coach gave to me, and after I would like to work hard this year, learn a lot so that in future years I can become one of the most important part of team.

LOK@S: Let’s get back to summer for a while, how did you feel playing the EuroBasket?

Sonja: It was really big thing for me and my self-confidence. To be there and play against today’s biggest name of women basketball is great honour and of course big experience for me.

LOK@S: What was your valuation as a team of the tournament?

Sonja: I think that we were the biggest surprise of the tournament. Maybe we even were able for more but we had the youngest team, without experience, so I think we show just a little bit of our talent and what we can represent in future. And still we are the only team who won against European Champion Russia.

LOK@S: Earlier this summer you won the bronce medal at the U19 World Championship in Bratislava to Spain. After such a long rivalry between the two sides, how special was it, for you and your teammates, to climb the bronze over Spain?

Sonja: Yes, I was truly happy; we win them in Bratislava and Novi Sad so this summer was definitely pay-back time for us. Now at last we are even.

LOK@S: Coaching Slovakia was your well known Zeljko Vukicevic, how did you see him coaching Slovakia? Was it a little strange?  

Sonja: Yes, it was strange to be on wining podium without him, but I think he done great job with Slovakia team also. He is really good coach so I truly wish him all the best.

LOK@S: And back to the present day, some of your Serbia national team teammates have decided to play professionally out of Serbia this year, Maja Miljkovic and Jelena Milovanovic, since I guess that keep in touch, did you talk with them about the step they were about to take?

Sonja: Yes this summer we talk a lot, it was hard decision for them also to go out, away from their families, but I think that for basketball was the right move, because they proved themselves in Serbian league with no more good enough opponents to play with so it was time for them to go abroad and try something new.

LOK@S: Did they ask you for some advice?

Sonja: We talked, more with Maja because she chose Spain, but I told them my experience and opinion about theirs move.

LOK@S: What do you think about this step they have taken? How do you see them as professionals?

Sonja: I think it was the right time for them to go, they prove themselves in Serbia and they needed to go to look for more. I think that the both of them are great players and that they will have great future and became big names of women basketball.

LOK@S: Back in France, how long is your contract with Bourges?

Sonja: Contract depends on my games and from how much is club content with my games.

LOK@S: How is going to be your life there? Will you live with some teammate, or will your parents be with you?

Sonja: Bourges is small, quiet town but very nice and I like here.I am living alone my father is now with me and after we will see if my mother or sister are going to come.

LOK@S: How will you keep dealing with your studies?

Sonja: I have left only one year more, so I will try to finish everything like after Barcelona, during summer and after I have to think what I will chose to continue studying.

LOK@S: How has the club helped you in your life off the court?

Sonja: They help me with everything they can do, I got really nice apartment in the centre of Bourges, new car,…So everything they can do to make my life easier.

LOK@S: One more time, thanks a lot Sonja for honouring us answering our questions. We really hope that this year in Bourges helps you to improve as much as you wish, and you keep making us, the basketball fans, enjoy. Above all the French ones who  I envy so much since I knew that you’d play in France. They’re really fortunate of having such a great player and person among them.

MIQUEL BORDOY CANO

LOKOS X EL BALONCESTO FEMENINO