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from asia-basket.com
Asia-Basket had the honour to make a small interview with the head coach of Qatar National Team Ed Andrist who was speaking with us from Slovenia where they're currently camping to prepare for FIBA Asia Championship (28 July - 5 August).
1- First of all tell us more about yourself coach...
I am a Wisconsin (USA) boy that has loved basketball his entire life. When I could no longer play at the higher level, i turned to coaching. That was in 1974 and I have been coaching ever since. I have coached at (3) different high schools and (2) different colleges. My teams in college have won (3) National Collegiate Championships. My wife is Connie and i have (6) beautiful children Les, Ryan, April, Kasey, Sean, and Kelsey.
2- When did qatar basketball federation contact you? and how did the negotiations go?
Ever since I was in Qatar in 2000, Rashed Al Abdulla and I have talked over the phone often. We have talked every year about my possible return in some capacity. It happened to work out this year for my return and i am happy it has. I have a great deal of respect for Rashed and Shiek Saud.
3- What is the plan which are you putting for qatar's men national team before going to FIBA Asia Championship?
We have scheduled some excellent camps for the staff and players and some excellent games also. Having just played the Slovenia and Finland National teams, we find out quickly what we need to work on and get better. We are in Slovenia now and will compete in Egypt, Doha, Taipai, Shanghai, and then Japan for the Asia Championship.
4- How did you see the current qatar NT comparing to 2000's team?
In 2000, the main team i coached was the youngermen's team so this team is much more experenced and talented. We feel that we are not strong enough at the point guard position however, we will utlilize the players that can work at that position. I have (5) players back from the 2000 team.
5- Do you feel any development in the basketball in qatar since the last you were there in 2000?
Rashed and i have talked at great length about developing the youth in Qatar. It is never an easy task and hopefully i can provide some direction. I know Qatar wants to be successful and they work very hard to have good results. I think it would help if they were to look at a larger plan for the future. I am committed to helping Qatar be the best they can be in basketball.
6- Where do you see qatar now in Asia's basketball map?
Starting back in 2000, Qatar has had some excellent success in their basketball over the past (7) years. They now compete well on the Asia stage and have played some on the World stage. It really comes down to how important it is to Qatar to continue and/or advance this success. You can never stay the same. You are either moving forward or you are moving backward.
7- Honestly...Do you see yourself in Beijeng 2008?
Quite honestly, I DO NOT worry or think about Beijing 2008 or even Japan 2007. There is a process that we must follow to give us the best chance of success and i am the leader of that process. I only think about what i control and i control practice, training (both physical and mental) and rest. I have a job to do and when Japan arrives in late July, we will continue that process. We EXPECT to win every game and of course we expect to win the Asia Games in Japan. We accept nothing less. There is an old saying "you have to be good and you have to be lucky". Hopefully, we can find some luck along the way.
8- Coach...you mentioned in local newspapers that you might naturalize a player for qatar as there are some weakness in point guard position...is that true?
It has been addressed to the Olympic Committee of our need for a player in that position. To my knowledge, we were not granted that request. I respect the Olympic Committee and their decisions. Once again, i only worry about what i can control. This i do not control. We will be fine.
9- Do you think that qatari league must be more developed?
The Qatar League is a good league. What i believe must happen, is the league and the National Team schedule must work together to get on the same page. The National Team players get very little rest and if the schedule were adjusted somewhat, it would be good for the players. I am a team guy and everyone should be in this together trying to represent Qatar to Asia and the World.
10- American Joey Steibing the former NT coach of qatar ran a four years program in Qatar, will you continue this program or you have another vision?
Whereas I know this a results and success driven environment, my plans are to take this program "one major tournament" at a time. I really enjoy working for Rashed Al Abdulla and Shiek Saud and want nothing but the best for the country of Qatar. There are so many EXCELLENT people in Qatar and I am very loyal. We will see how everything unfolds.
11- What do you think about the indivudual level of the NT players?
We have an excellent group of young men that have worked their hardest everyday. As a coach, you can ask for nothing less or more. We had an excellent game with Finland, winning 80-63 and Slovenia, winning 93-86. We learned alot about each other and I learned alot about them. I have an excellent staff in Coach Eric, Coach Chris, and Coach Will. Our trainer, doctor and assist staff have been outstanding.
12- Last word to fans?
To the fans of Qatar, I want you to know that we want you to be proud of this team and what they can accomplish. We want you to be proud to wear the colors of Maroon and White. We will do our best to represent you at the highest level and we NEED you to come and watch us play in Doha on June 22nd - 28th.
.............................................
hmmmmnnn
Qatar just defeated the Finland and Slovenian National team? if that is indeed the true Slovenian NT, well, Qatar will defenitely a favorite this coming FIBA Asia...
no question, Slovenian NT is a very strong team...
I wonder if the Slovenian squad that played against Qatar includes current NBA players like Nesterovič, Brezec, Nachbar, Vujacic and Slokar Udrih for sure is not in the line-up since he is currently playing for San Antonio
and they planning to naturalize again... this time a point guard what a shame
Asia-Basket had the honour to make a small interview with the head coach of Qatar National Team Ed Andrist who was speaking with us from Slovenia where they're currently camping to prepare for FIBA Asia Championship (28 July - 5 August).
1- First of all tell us more about yourself coach...
I am a Wisconsin (USA) boy that has loved basketball his entire life. When I could no longer play at the higher level, i turned to coaching. That was in 1974 and I have been coaching ever since. I have coached at (3) different high schools and (2) different colleges. My teams in college have won (3) National Collegiate Championships. My wife is Connie and i have (6) beautiful children Les, Ryan, April, Kasey, Sean, and Kelsey.
2- When did qatar basketball federation contact you? and how did the negotiations go?
Ever since I was in Qatar in 2000, Rashed Al Abdulla and I have talked over the phone often. We have talked every year about my possible return in some capacity. It happened to work out this year for my return and i am happy it has. I have a great deal of respect for Rashed and Shiek Saud.
3- What is the plan which are you putting for qatar's men national team before going to FIBA Asia Championship?
We have scheduled some excellent camps for the staff and players and some excellent games also. Having just played the Slovenia and Finland National teams, we find out quickly what we need to work on and get better. We are in Slovenia now and will compete in Egypt, Doha, Taipai, Shanghai, and then Japan for the Asia Championship.
4- How did you see the current qatar NT comparing to 2000's team?
In 2000, the main team i coached was the youngermen's team so this team is much more experenced and talented. We feel that we are not strong enough at the point guard position however, we will utlilize the players that can work at that position. I have (5) players back from the 2000 team.
5- Do you feel any development in the basketball in qatar since the last you were there in 2000?
Rashed and i have talked at great length about developing the youth in Qatar. It is never an easy task and hopefully i can provide some direction. I know Qatar wants to be successful and they work very hard to have good results. I think it would help if they were to look at a larger plan for the future. I am committed to helping Qatar be the best they can be in basketball.
6- Where do you see qatar now in Asia's basketball map?
Starting back in 2000, Qatar has had some excellent success in their basketball over the past (7) years. They now compete well on the Asia stage and have played some on the World stage. It really comes down to how important it is to Qatar to continue and/or advance this success. You can never stay the same. You are either moving forward or you are moving backward.
7- Honestly...Do you see yourself in Beijeng 2008?
Quite honestly, I DO NOT worry or think about Beijing 2008 or even Japan 2007. There is a process that we must follow to give us the best chance of success and i am the leader of that process. I only think about what i control and i control practice, training (both physical and mental) and rest. I have a job to do and when Japan arrives in late July, we will continue that process. We EXPECT to win every game and of course we expect to win the Asia Games in Japan. We accept nothing less. There is an old saying "you have to be good and you have to be lucky". Hopefully, we can find some luck along the way.
8- Coach...you mentioned in local newspapers that you might naturalize a player for qatar as there are some weakness in point guard position...is that true?
It has been addressed to the Olympic Committee of our need for a player in that position. To my knowledge, we were not granted that request. I respect the Olympic Committee and their decisions. Once again, i only worry about what i can control. This i do not control. We will be fine.
9- Do you think that qatari league must be more developed?
The Qatar League is a good league. What i believe must happen, is the league and the National Team schedule must work together to get on the same page. The National Team players get very little rest and if the schedule were adjusted somewhat, it would be good for the players. I am a team guy and everyone should be in this together trying to represent Qatar to Asia and the World.
10- American Joey Steibing the former NT coach of qatar ran a four years program in Qatar, will you continue this program or you have another vision?
Whereas I know this a results and success driven environment, my plans are to take this program "one major tournament" at a time. I really enjoy working for Rashed Al Abdulla and Shiek Saud and want nothing but the best for the country of Qatar. There are so many EXCELLENT people in Qatar and I am very loyal. We will see how everything unfolds.
11- What do you think about the indivudual level of the NT players?
We have an excellent group of young men that have worked their hardest everyday. As a coach, you can ask for nothing less or more. We had an excellent game with Finland, winning 80-63 and Slovenia, winning 93-86. We learned alot about each other and I learned alot about them. I have an excellent staff in Coach Eric, Coach Chris, and Coach Will. Our trainer, doctor and assist staff have been outstanding.
12- Last word to fans?
To the fans of Qatar, I want you to know that we want you to be proud of this team and what they can accomplish. We want you to be proud to wear the colors of Maroon and White. We will do our best to represent you at the highest level and we NEED you to come and watch us play in Doha on June 22nd - 28th.
.............................................
hmmmmnnn
Qatar just defeated the Finland and Slovenian National team? if that is indeed the true Slovenian NT, well, Qatar will defenitely a favorite this coming FIBA Asia... no question, Slovenian NT is a very strong team...
I wonder if the Slovenian squad that played against Qatar includes current NBA players like Nesterovič, Brezec, Nachbar, Vujacic and Slokar
Udrih for sure is not in the line-up since he is currently playing for San Antonioand they planning to naturalize again...
this time a point guard what a shame
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