Finnish basketball coach Mikko Larkas Named the head coach of Limoges CSP, who plays in the French Main Series, on January 14th. He or she replaced Jean-Marc Duprazinwho was fired because of the success.
– I’m actually a temporary head coach for that national team break until 8 February. Then I will probably see the next day, whether I will continue or continue someone else, Larkas reveals the details of his pest.
Finnish pilot jumped from an assistant coach as a responsible coach.
– I’ve been here since the beginning of the season and know the players. Perhaps it is not the hardest situation of all, but similarly we have been involved in quite a few turbulence.
– When the former head coach left, the third American player left Rostock. At least for the time being, we have not replaced anyone, ”says Larkas.
From a difficult starting point
Already last season was difficult for the Limoges CSP and the club was close to falling into the second series.
For this season, Limoges set off for the second lowest budget. The team started the first ten games at the top, but during the season the cold water has been steady in the neck.
Now the club has a total of 14 wins and 12 losses in a total of 14 teams in 16 teams.
The Limoges’ previous win has been two months and the team will be in a loss of eight matches. There have been two additional losses in the Larkas era.
– Now the confusing situation is going on when they are looking for players and the market is pretty “dead”. Still, we fight and try to do things better every day. We have a lot of young players, and developing them is best improved.
– There have certainly been cleaner tables and easier places to start abroad (in head coaching). Still, you do not help to bathe in problems, but your gaze must be positive, Larkas outlines.
American players’ market on ice
According to Larkas, the market for the Yankee players has “been completely out of hand on the Finnish scale”.
– American players get significantly more money, for example, for another fifth year, for a fifth year than coming to Europe and France, which is a reasonably well -paid basketball league. They now stay on the other side of the nail and teeth on the other side of the big ocean, says Larkas.
Japan, China and Australian leagues now pay well for American players, which also contributes to the European basketball market.
Larkas is now operating as head coach in the European Top5 Series, for example Tuomas Iisalo Last summer, he made a significant role in the Memphis NBA coaching team.
Finnish basket coach is valued
– I am aware that I am a young and first -time head coach for this market, but I would still point out that a Finnish basket coach is currently quite valued for many reasons.
Larkas praises the fact that France has also had Tuomas Iisalo and Lassi Tuovia. Daniel Jansson Coaches Heidelberg in Germany. They have made a great impression on the Finnish pioneers.
– You can list the list of names even longer. We can also do well because we are hardworking and humble.
– We are aware of what we cannot and can give people space. It seems that it is just what we need here. Of course, the level of demand must be high at the same time.
Larkas notes that a professionally Finnish coach is able to handle the requirements of basketball well.
More difficulties come when you are unable to give French -language interviews.
– You have to start practicing them here. Perhaps you have to take a few French lessons here.
– The biggest challenges (as a coach) are that we must be able to be competitive for a team that is quite young and not necessarily so competitive.
In the face of the top clubs
Larkas emphasizes that it is worth enjoying the moments where you can play in the basketball business – whatever the role.
– I have to say that being a head coach in Finland, for example, in junior junior at the Academy level, at the third highest league level, was a really good time for me to return to the roots. Teaching grassroots level taught a lot about coaching for myself.
– Then, of course, in Susijeng had a really long job in the team. There was responsibility, even though I was not head coach. But yes, you still enjoy it when you can decide for yourself, even if your responsibility and pressures are greater.
On Saturday, February 1, Larkos, led by Larkas, will face Asvel Lyon-Villeurbanne, the third in the French series, which is a European top group.
– The challenge is one of the toughest in this series. Cholet (tip of the series) was again encountered in the first game I coached as head coach. The top of the series at this point is now being encountered. You still have to win every game, knows Topola from Helsinki.
Repair at 10:11 pm: Daniel Jansson coaches German Heidelberg. Earlier, the story was thought that he would coach in France.