By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Coach Pablo Laso after one more season full of ups and downs finally climbed to the top of Europe. And in the closing press conference he didn’t hide his feelings.
As he said: “It’s hard to find words now. I am really very, very happy. First for my players. I think they did a great job during the year, coming back from all the tough moments – injuries, losses. But we were able to stay together. That’s what I asked in every game, to stay together. And you need that when you have stars. And that’s what they are. I have 13 stars. I tried to make a team. All of this is very nice. We are European champions and I feel very proud of my players. I always insist on the team. And I consider myself just another member of the team. Personally I am very happy for having won this title, because this really gives you recognition. But it’s equally as important as the recognition of my daily work. I will not change because I am a European champion. I tried to convey that to my players and everybody on the team. Everyone is as important as Andres Nocioni. I feel very happy for them because they worked very hard. I feel very happy for the club, because I know how demanding Real Madrid is”.
As for the rumors surrounding his job, he smiled: “A few weeks ago I was having dinner with my family and my son said he didn’t think we would stay in Madrid for so many years. My own son said that. Do I feel satisfied? No. I am happy, calm. But if we lose the game on Wednesday I will be very mad. That’s the way I am”.
Finally for the defense his team played, he clarified: “I don’t have the magic potion because [Spanoulis] scored only 3 points. The guys did a great job that he didn’t get in a rhythm on offense. We used different players on him so he couldn’t get used to anyone. It was team defense. We did a great job on him.”