Monaco leader Léo Westermann will cross paths with Limoges CSP again this Sunday, with whom he won the 2015 French basketball champion title. Before this meeting of the 12th day of the Elite championship, he looks back on his last years of career and on this confrontation against the CSP.
Since leaving Limoges, you have played in very big clubs like CSKA Moscow, Fenerbahçe, Zalgiris Kaunas or even Barcelona last season. What is your best memory since leaving Limousin?
The strongest moments since I left Limoges, I experienced them at Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania) with a team that was not supposed to play the Euroleague play-offs. With an exceptional enthusiasm of a whole country. It was incredible to play in such an atmosphere with fans of this level in every game. Afterwards, I also did 2 Euroleague Final Four which unfortunately didn’t go very well but there have been a lot of experiences since I left Limoges.
It is sure that it is not completely accomplished
Last season in Barcelona, can we say that you lived a dream but not completely?
That’s it. After that, it’s part of a player’s career. I had wanted to play for this club for a very long time. It happened last season and it started off pretty well. Afterwards, it’s the job that wants that. There are seasons that are better than others. Of course, it is not completely successful. I would have liked to have done more but I do not regret anything. It’s like that.
On the map of hot rooms in Europe, you have ticked a lot of boxes. You who like these big atmospheres, how do you live your arrival in Monaco?
Of course it is different. It’s a smaller room and a different vibe but I was pleasantly surprised. It’s full at all Euroleague matches. Of course, with less than 3,000 seats, it’s easier to fill a hall, but there are supporters who are there at all matches and who are passionate about this sport. And that’s what we’re trying to do with the Monegasque project. Bring other people to the hall and make them love this sport and Monaco. I am very satisfied with that and pleasantly surprised because I did not expect much more.
Much respect for Zvezdan
It is a special time for Monaco. After a series of poor results, Saša Obradović came to replace Zvezdan Mitrović as manager this week. How do you live it?
It’s part of the professional world. When you are in a team with very high objectives and that you flounder a little, there are decisions that are made. Like when I was in Limoges where I had 3 coaches in 2 years. The leaders thought it was good that there was a psychological shock in this team. It was not too late but we really had to react very quickly. Unfortunately, this is the professional world. This is our world. Hoping that it will help us for the future.
Listening to you, we can feel all the respect you have for Zvezdan Mitrović and his work.
Indeed. Lots of respect for Zvezdan, which he did in Monaco. It’s incredible. He was the one who won all the titles. Who made all the finals in Monaco. Huge respect. We wish him the best. Now there is the arrival of Saša Obradović. Someone very well known also in Limoges. As with every coach, it’s a different style. We will have to adapt. Of course, there will be a very important discipline. If we play better and win matches, that’s the main thing.
It’s true that sometimes the rhythm is hellish
The matches follow one another for you with the European Cup. Physically, how is it going?
It’s very complicated. We say that every month but December is particularly busy. We play every 2 or 3 days throughout the month of December. We just returned from a game in Kaunas. We couldn’t even train. We did a little video and on Friday we’re playing Zenith. Afterwards, it is the lot of all these European teams. It’s like that. Especially in December, we arrive at a month when fatigue is felt. Each club has more injuries. We pull the rope a little more. But that’s what we like too. We prefer to play than to train. Even if it’s true that sometimes the pace is hellish.
With all this, do you have the time to follow the Limoges CSP from a distance?
Sure. I watch the matches as much as I can. Limoges remains very special for me. There is also Nicolas Lang who is one of my best friends who plays there. I have a lot of ties there so obviously I follow everything that is going on. And it will stay that way for the rest of my career and even after.
Cancellieri manages to do beautiful things
The Limoges CSP is now trained by the Italian Massimo Cancellieri who has a strong identity. What do you think of his work even if it is only the beginning?
Yes this is only the beginning. We must see in the long term. With a fairly reasonable budget, he can do great things. He manages to build an attacking and defensive basketball, to have ideas and that is the most important. He has a lot of commitment. He has a certain aura. It matches very well with the Limoges public. Hoping that Limoges does the best it can this year.
Are you still in contact with your former French champion teammates with Limoges in 2015?
Yes. No later than 3 weeks ago, we played at Efes Istanbul. After the game, I spent the whole evening with Adrien Moerman and his family. Every time we go to Paris, we try to see each other with Nobel Boungou-Colo. Of course Jamar Smith and I spend a lot. And it’s nice. We created something strong in Limoges by winning this title for me, and for them these titles. It lasts over time and this kind of relationship is beautiful.
Limoges is a team that has ideas and plays well in basketball
You may not have had time but is it teasing a bit with Nicolas Lang before Sunday’s game?
Yes, it teases a little. Afterwards, they have only that to think about! We come out of Wednesday’s game and play again on Friday. Limoges is a bit far for us. But it is true that Nico tries to come fishing for the news. But he will have nothing from me -rires- until Sunday!
Finally, how do you see this Sunday match between Monaco and Limoges?
It’s going to be very hard. We have quite a few injuries. We will come out of 2 very intense matches in 3 days and you have to play a great team from Limoges who also play with a certain intensity and a certain rigor so it will be complicated. It’s a team that has ideas and plays basketball well. We will see how it will go but it is sure that it will be quite complicated.