May 24, 2012
Quarterfinal Post-Game quotes: Pamesa Valencia vs. BC Khimki
Pamesa Valencia
BC Khimki Moscow Region
NEVEN SPAHIJA, head coach
"First of all, I would like to congratulate Coach Scariolo and the Khimki team. I think it was a very good game, very competitive. In the end, we made some mistakes and in such an important game you have to grab the rebounds under the basket, you can't make turnovers. Maybe some small details of individual skills by some of the players, like the shot by Delfino near the end, decided the game. As a coach, I cannot be happy. I want to make the step to resolve the small details. We talked from the beginning that we have problems with defensive rebounds. So of course 16 offensive rebounds for Khimki is too much for one game, and in a big game like this, it's a big advantage."
SHAMOND WILLIAMS, guard
"It was a tough game but I think we played really, really well. We played tough and led for a good part of the game, but they made good plays that helped them to win it. We managed to get a seven-point lead with around 6 minutes to go but they called some good plays and did what they had to go to get back in the game. It was unfortunate for us, but everybody played well. It was an exciting game but we couldn't get the win so we are disappointed right now. What we have to do right now is forget about this loss and work hard in the Spanish League to make it to the Eurocup again - or even to the Euroleague. That is our next goal, for all of us."
MATT NIELSEN, forward
"It was a good game. I think that both teams played pretty well and fought hard until the end of the game. Unfortunately we did not managed to get the win being in a pretty good position to do it. We have to get past this disappointment and hold our heads up because we played hard but they managed to beat us down the stretch. It all went down to one shot but we did not managed to score when we were up by one point. I give credit to my team, we managed to get a pretty good shot in the final play but it didn't go in."
ERMAL KUQO, center
"We fought well until the end but their defense in the last 2 minutes created a little confusion to our offense and that is we kind of let go leading by 5 points. Carlos Delfino play great in the crucial moments but I have to say that I think that we showed we were the best team on thr court tonight. This is basketball and it happens sometimes. Mike Wilkinson got a couple of crucial offensive rebounds late in the game, hit the free throws and you have to accept what happens. All we can do is go back to the gym, work out and try to get better. I hope that we will have a better chance next season. I felt well on court after the injury, felt better than I thought I was going to feel."
Sergio Scariolo video
SERGIO SCARIOLO, head coach
"It was a tough game, possibly more important than getting a brilliant win tonight. We didn't play our best game overall, that goes for sure. We have a few players still trying to get back to their best condition, especially from the technical point of view. I hope this game will help us with their legs, heads and hearts. We knew that we didn't have to give up when we happened to be down by a few points in the fourth quarter. We thought that the fourth quarter could be our moment to win the game, regardless how we did before. We finally to execute some big plays. Some of our best players overcame that lack of condition I mentioned before with heart and talent."
MILT PALACIO, guard
"I am happy that the first game is behind. We knew that it was going to be a tough game and that they have loads of talent, we knew we had to play hard and expected it to go down to the last shot. They made some tough shots, we did the same and it was a big win. We stuck with our defense and told each other down the stretch that we shouldn't panic and that we should stay together. I wasn't worried when Mike Wilkinson was shooting those late free throws. He shoots free throws in pressure situations all the time. We are not celebrating too much - this is a three-game situation, and we know that we have another game, possibly two. I am a type of guy who doesn't show feelings too much, but I am very happy."
Mike Wilkinson video
MIKE WILKINSON, forward
"We knew it was going to be tough. Pamesa is a great team and played hard. We made shots at the end, made a couple of free throws and got a couple of stops. We played hard against a good team. We wanted to stay together, play team basketball and we knew we would make a run, which is what we did. The ball came my way, I was put in situations where I could make plays and help my team. Fortunately, the ball went in for me a couple times. My teammates saw me and got me the ball where I could do something with it. We stayed together as a team, had each others' backs, and that's the way we won."
ANTON PONKRASHOV, guard
"We understood how important this game would be, were extremely motivated. We didn't need someone to give us some extra motivation. Pamesa is a very strong team. Our teams are basically at the same level. You saw that the game was absolutely even. There were two equal opponents, and it could go either way in the end. They wanted to win just as we did, and actually had a better Eurocup record with fewer losses than we had. I prayed to God that Wilkinson would make those free throws in the final seconds. We are very happy to win this game."
JORGE GARBAJOSA, forward
"I feel good. It was a big game tonight, and it was a hard one. The small details, like an offensive rebound, a foul or a good defensive play decided the game to our side tonight. It was really close. We know we can play better, but I think that the important thing was that we played as a team and did it together. It was actually one of the first times in my life that I have fouled out in a game. I trust in my teammates and they did a great job."
VITALI FRITZON, forward
"It was very hard. Pamesa is a very good team. We prepared for this game and this tournament for a long time. Our team played like one unit, and that helped us to get a very important victory tonight. I think that tomorrow’s game is going to be hard as well, and we have to be ready for it. We are all happy right now. The crucial thing was that we didn’t give up when we were behind, we managed to stop them. We didn’t have that good of a season until now, we had some problems, but finally, we found our game and became one unit."
CARLOS DELFINO, guard
"We played a big team like Pamesa in a game with lots of adrenalin. We had a lot of injuries that weakened us this year. But today we found ways to get to the basket, make shots and make defensive stops. It’s a great win for us and a great step forward, also because favorites like Dynamo and Benetton were knocked out in their first games. But tonight we showed that we can play, and we are still here, together as a team, trying to get the gold."
Friday, April 03, 2009
Eurocupbasketball.com
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