Chus Mateo, Real Madrid coach, was satisfied with the victory of his team against Gran Canaria (81-89), which qualifies the whites for the semifinals of the Endesa League. “It has been a very even game in the first half with that exchange of baskets. We weren’t so successful in defense, which made us arrive even at half-time. At the start we have improved especially in defense. We were able to run and have three-point hits. We took an important but not definitive advantage. El Granca raised its level in defense. We are very happy to have beaten them, they are a great team. He is very well trained and has had an extraordinary year. We also congratulate him on that Eurocup, a title more than deserved. It has been difficult for us to maintain this level all year. Now another team like Joventut awaits us”, said the technician.
The coach valued that the victory allows them to have more rest. “We will be able to rest a little more after this 2-0. We are among the top four in the Endesa league but we have several very tired players. The demand is very high but we have the ambition to continue fighting. Today was not our best game but we could win”. He also spoke about the physical situation of Edy Tavares and that of the team in general after so many months competing: “Tavares is very tired. There are players who are helping him like Randolph or Ndiaye. Today that fatigue of his was demonstrated and the team noticed it. But he is still at an incredible level. He already finished the Euroleague, so we have three weeks left in the season in which we have to take care of him. Because of what he helps us in defense and what conditions the rival in defense, it will always come in handy. It will also be very good for him to have that rest”.
Mateo ended by talking about Real Madrid’s rival in the semifinals, a Joventut team that has just eliminated Baskonia: “I’m not surprised about Joventut. All the playoff teams were at an extraordinary level. Joventut has a great coach. If he comes from defeating Baskonia, it will be for a reason”.
Lakovic: “I don’t know why my name appears at Barça”
“I was in the dressing room of the best Barça in history. This, at the level of being a team, with a good atmosphere, being united, has nothing to envy. That my name sounds if Jasikevicius does not follow are just rumors. Barça has a great coach. We’ll see what happens, but I don’t know why my name appears there”, commented Jaka Lakovic, coach of Gran Canaria.
“We looked for our options to beat Madrid but in the end we fell short. We came to lose by 15 but in the end we played face to face with them despite the fact that in 40 minutes they only had 13 fouls. This seems strange to me in a playoff game, but we can’t do anything now,” lamented the Slovenian coach.