Mateusz Ponitka is one of the two reinforcements of Partizan this season, and in the conversation for MozzartSport he touched on a number of current topics.
Partizan is very quiet on the market. However, the black and whites did not want to miss one name. For now, Ponitka is the only new foreign basketball player for Zeljko Obradovic’s team, and the Pole points out that the legendary coach was the main reason for his arrival in Belgrade.
“I had several offers, I also talked seriously with Maccabi. However, I have always dreamed of playing for Zeljko, to see what kind of person he is on and off the field. I’ve heard a lot of stories, of course, but it’s different when you’re part of it on a daily basis. The big thing for me is that I can learn basketball from him.
That was the main thing for me, not money, not life in the city, but to be able to learn something new from the best coaching mind. I have already worked with Xavi Pascual, now I would like to see what the differences are with Zeljko.
Also, I spoke with the general manager of Panathinaikos. He told me that I will only see best version of me when you have a coaching mind like Zeljko’s by your side“, Ponitka said and added that he can’t wait to see what kind of relationship Obradovic has with the players:
“He has a special feeling for basketball, great basketball knowledge. When I look from the side, I see that everything he does makes sense and he knows exactly why he decided to do something. Maybe sometimes it doesn’t seem like the right decision or doesn’t make sense to people.
He sees exactly the result of every move he makes, in advance. That’s how it seems to me from the side, I’ll tell you at the end of the season if I was right or not. Also, I want to see what kind of relationship he has with the players, how he talks and works with them, how he reacts on the field. It will be an extraordinary experience for me.“
Although Ponitka is one of the few players who does not have social networks, the saga with Nikola Mirotic did not escape him either:
“Yes, I heard something about that. I don’t have social networks, so I don’t know how things work on those platforms, but I read some articles about Mirotic and Partizan, as well as some other clubs. I saw that there was a lot of interest in him. Which is normal, because he is a great player, one of the best in the Euroleague, and wherever he goes, he will be a big boost.
I don’t know exactly what happened with Partizan, why he didn’t come, but maybe I will hear something during the season. He chose Milan, there will be a lot of strong players there, with great potential. It’s his decision, I don’t know him personally, but he chose Olympia and there will be a very strong team there.“
When the war started between Russia and Ukraine, many foreign basketball players left Russia, but not Ponitka himself. As he admits, because of this he received numerous threats, which in the end almost resulted in him leaving the national team:
“I was the biggest enemy in Poland at that moment. People hated me, me and my family. We received threats, crazy messages. Personally, I expected some basketball people to come to my defense, but they added fuel to the fire. I was really close to ending my national team career. In the end, I talked to my wife, agent and people from the national team before Eurobasket. They told me that they wanted me in the team, that they knew what I gave for the national team.
In the end we found a common language. I joined the team and we were fourth in Europe. Crazy story. I’m usually of a calm nature and it’s hard to get excited, but my story from last year, I think a movie can be made. From zero to hero. Actually, from hero, to enemy and finally hero again. A big lesson for me, what love and family means.“
The Pole is facing a new challenge, and it will certainly not be easy in Belgrade. Nevertheless, Ponitka points out that he will do his best for the team to win every match and that is the only thing that matters:
“I followed the situation here, we played the last game of the season here. I remember well what the atmosphere was like, that the fans were in ecstasy, since Partizan had already secured a place in the quarterfinals. It will be fun to see all that from this perspective, when I play for Partizan.
As for me, I will do whatever it takes for the team to win. I always do that. Whatever plan the coach has for me, I will try to fulfill it. Look, I don’t want to jump in front of others, I know my place in the team, what is my role. That’s why I wanted to come here, to help us win together.“
The former Panathinaikos player also said that he will support Serbia at the upcoming World Cup.
“Of course. Considering that we are not there, I will support Serbia. Now I’m part of this country, the community, so I’ll be with you. I believe that Serbia has a chance for a medal, they look good as a team“, Ponitka concluded in an interview with MozzartSport.