Final Game 1 - April 13, 2008 - PALAVELA
POST-GAME QUOTES
54 - 79
Akasvayu Girona Head Coach
MARTINEZ, PEDRO
"It has been a game in which we were not able to compete the way we should. DKV Joventut dominated the offensive rebounds. They got a lot of long offensive rebounds and their defensive switchs from zone to man-to-man made us miss shots that we worked hard to get. We wree not fresh, physically and physchologically speaking. We tried everything we had in the second half but things didn't work out the way we wanted because we played against a very physical opponent that knows how to get advantage of that. Of course, it is better to finish second than third and even when we leave with a bitter taste, we will be able to see tomorrow that we had a good ULEB Cup season in general terms. We don't like to be able to compete in the final but we must accept it, be positive and think we are doing things in the right way."
Akasvayu Girona Guard
MCDONALD, ARRIEL
"Joventut played a very good game tonight. You have to give them all the respect and the credit because they played really hard and they wore us down. A couple of our shots didn't go in and they made it difficult for us to get some open shots. For now we'll try to make the playoffs in the Spanish League and from there do our best to advance."
Akasvayu Girona Forward
CVETKOVIC, BRANKO
"Yes, maybe we were a bit tired tonight. We spent a lot of energy during the last two games. We hadsome freshness when we started the game and we played great in the first quarter. But maybe in the middle of the second quarter we started to go downhill. I can talk about myself, I was totally empty in scoring. I didn't see the stats yet but I think that we hit two or three threes when it was important, not counting the last two minutes so they stopped Marc and also did a good job outside. We reached the final of the ULEB Cup, and that is a big thing. Way better than the FIBA Cup."
Akasvayu Girona Guard
SADA, VICTOR
"I think that tiredness was our enemy tonight. We started well but as the game went on we started to miss the outside shots, they went for the offensive rebounds and we couldn't run so that was key. They pressed a lot in the paint and played a lot of double-teams on Marc and that really stopped us."
DKV Joventut Head Coach
GARCIA RENESES, AITO
"Yes, maybe we were a bit tired tonight. We spent a lot of energy during the last two games. We hadsome freshness when we started the game and we played great in the first quarter. But maybe in the middle of the second quarter we started to go downhill. I can talk about myself, I was totally empty in scoring. I didn't see the stats yet but I think that we hit two or three threes when it was important, not counting the last two minutes so they stopped Marc and also did a good job outside. We reached the final of the ULEB Cup, and that is a big thing. Way better than the FIBA Cup."
DKV Joventut Guard
RIBAS, PAU
"It was the game we were looking for in general terms. We had a strong start but we managed to get our rhythms since the second quarter. There was a key moment in which Akasvayu could not follow us, it went down a little bit and we sealed the outcome. I started the season without knowing if I would play much and I find myself in a great team, so there is little more I can ask for."
DKV Joventut Center
HERNANDEZ-SONSECA, EDU
"From my point of view, we had a good game. Akasvayu had a little disadvantage coming into this game, which is that it had played two games in as many days. They were two very intense games for them and physically, they paid for it much more than us. They tried to set the game rhythm and in fact they did, but as the minutes went by, we started to play at out level and Akasvayu could not follow our pace. We already won two titles and the season is not over. We have to celebrate for a couple of days and get ready for a Spanish League game against Real Madrid. We still can win another title. I am proud to become the first player to win two ULEB Cup titles and I hope to win more. I am sure that many players will do the same and even better. I hope to keep enjoying and having fun with this group of players."
DKV Joventut Guard
LAVIÑA, FERRAN
"Well, we are really happy. I think we are having a great season, it just can't get better. We have won the three titles we have played. We want more now, but it is the time to enjoy this moment. You can see our fans over there, this is amazing. I think we managed to handle the pressure and we played a great game tonight."
DKV Joventut Center
MOISO, JEROME
"I feel like we have done what we came to do here you know, we had a goal and I think right now the Euroleague is right here for us. Now it is time to enjoy this moment. Stopping Marc Gasol was key and also stopping anybody. We managed to never let them feel comfortable and we never let them get involved. We did a good job tonight on defense."
DKV Joventut Forward
BARTON, LUBOS
"It feels great to win this. We struggled at the beginning but they were obviously very tired. You could certainly tell that Gasol was tired but he is a major guy and we basically managed to stop him. Now it is the time to celebrate this and we will think about more things later."
DKV Joventut Center
JAGLA, JAN-HENDRICK
"I feel great, second title this year and we just keep playing well. The ULEB Cup is a great competition and to win it is amazing. Euroleague next year yes. I think we would have done really well if we had played this year but now we will have to show it next year."
DKV Joventut Guard
MALLET, DEMOND
"This is a great feeling. I'd say that a Final Eight. For me, being in this team is a blessing. It's great to be here and it paid off. The game was greatand awesome. We played great and it paid off today."
DKV Joventut Guard
FERNANDEZ, RUDY
"Unbelievable. It was the goal for us this season and we managed to win two very important titles this season. I think that we started a little scared and speculating but we never do that. In the last two quarters we were way more aggressive in defense and that is when you could tell the real Joventut. It was clear that any player can bring things to the team. I was about not to play because of the pain in my shoulder. I did a great effort to overcome the pain because in this kind of game there is no pain. I gave my maximum and thanks to the team we won I think."

"For me and for everyone, I am sure, Jerome Moiso has been the most determinant player tonight, not only on offense, but on defense he stoodup to Marc Gasol, one of the top centers in Europe. I just wanted to give him thanks for all that he did in this game to make sure we won. I think he deserved it."
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