Five games opened the EuroLeague Round 10 schedule on Thursday, November 5. From Paris Basketball’s road win in Istanbul to Valencia’s comeback in Milan, here are the postgame comments from all ten head coaches.
Anadolu Efes-Paris Basketball 90-95
Pablo Laso: “It was a very sad day for us. Looking at the stats, we were better in several areas, in steals, rebounds and assists, but basketball is about small details. Paris was better than us in those details and that’s why they won. Offensively, we relied too much on Cam Payne’s creativity and scoring ability. In the fourth quarter, we had problems stopping their offense.”
Maxime Lefèvre: “It’s almost a reference game for us. It’s definitely a very important win, although we still have so many things to improve. I really liked the way we played down the stretch. Nadir Hifi was outstanding, but overall we were better on the boards, had more intensity and did those little things that allow you to close out a game.”
Fenerbahce-Baskonia 84-65
Sarunas Jasikevicius: “We were very good. For most of the game we managed to do what we wanted: play fast, share the ball and create good shots. In the second half we wanted to give everybody minutes and lost some rhythm, but overall we have to be very happy.”
On Dwight Powell: “He was very good. He did exactly what he has done throughout his career. He has an incredible motor and gave us second chances and physicality on the boards. He has only practiced twice with us, so we need to be patient.”
Velimir Perasovic: “I think in the first half we played very badly, without the pride necessary to stay in the game. In the second half we battled on the boards, managed to run and, considering the roster we had, I think our second half was good. The problem is that if you start a game thinking you cannot win it, your job becomes very difficult.”
Hapoel Tel Aviv-Barcelona 90-93
Dimitris Itoudis: “Unfortunately, it didn’t end well for us. Every game matters in the EuroLeague and this time we faced a team that showed more desire than us. They grabbed 40% of the rebounds after their misses. That was one of the factors that hurt us the most. We were up nine in the third quarter and then allowed a run close to 20-0. That was too much to recover from.”
Aleksander Sekulic: “We were playing against a great team, and the numbers don’t lie. I have to congratulate the guys because they believed throughout the game in what we needed to do and in how we needed to limit them. Hapoel has so many offensive weapons. We found solutions defensively and offensively we played unselfishly, regardless of who was on the floor. For me, this is a great win.”
ASVEL-Bayern Munich 95-99
Tony Parker: “Everybody knows there was a foul on Patty Mills at the end. That’s how it is. But that’s not where we lost the game: we lost it on defense. We have to win the game before that. We absolutely have to improve in that area. We allowed 54 points in the second half, which is too many. In the two games we had won, we defended well. Allowing 99 points, especially at home, is too much.”
Source: Le Progrès / BasketEurope
Anton Gavel: “Congratulations to the guys. They played hard even when ASVEL came back from a 10-point deficit. We really wanted this win and now we have to build on it. We need to fight like this in every game, regardless of where and against whom we play. This win was also important for our confidence.”
Gavel also highlighted one area to improve: “In the second half we were a little careless with the ball. We had four turnovers at halftime and finished with 15. But everybody who came off the bench gave us something, and we have to maintain this fighting spirit.”
Olimpia Milan-Valencia Basket 73-84
Peppe Poeta: “I’m disappointed and frustrated because this is the fourth EuroLeague game we have lost in the same way. With three minutes left we are tied, then we can’t find solutions and we lose. The team is alive, otherwise we wouldn’t have been eight points ahead at the start of the fourth quarter, but we have to make sure that, in addition to being alive, we also win games.”
The Olimpia coach added: “Late in the game, the talent of Shorts and Brooks made the difference. We started the fourth quarter by missing three open shots and they scored twice with a defender in their face. I’m going through the first truly critical moment of my coaching career. I can give everything I have, in practice, in video sessions and by taking responsibility publicly. Then the club has to make its evaluations, including those regarding the market.”
Xavi Albert: “We had a very good start and immediately found a good feel for the game. Milan changed its defense, altered the rhythm and caused us problems in the two middle quarters. We started the fourth quarter behind, but quickly tied the game and the group showed great character.”
Albert also highlighted Valencia’s work on the glass: “The players’ reaction impressed me. Down the stretch we found the right offensive solutions. The 17 offensive rebounds were decisive and allowed us to find other ways to win despite attempting only four free throws.”
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