By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
BOLOGNA, Italy – Coming out on top after a game conditioned by back-and-forth emotions, Zalgiris Kaunas emerged victorious against Virtus Bologna in the first of two double-week games in Italy.
Dovydas Giedraitis was decisive with 15 points, tying his career-high in the EuroLeague. In the post-game, Andrea Trinchieri praised the Lithuanian guard’s ability. “He’s an amazing worker. He’s a player devoted to teamwork, an elite-level specialized player. He’s one of the three best on-ball defenders in the EuroLeague. He’s a guy with important values”, he said.
Sylvain Francisco also had an impressive performance, going close to the double-double with 11 points and 8 assists – recording his EuroLeague career-high. “Player with enormous potential. I’m trying to stabilize him. Everybody can see his talent. If we manage to channel his talent into discipline and rationality, he can become an amazing player”, he added.
Opening the press conference, he had his first statement about Zalgiris Kaunas’ away win over the black-and-white Italian side. “We won the game five times and lost it four times. In the end, we were able to secure a very important win. In the third quarter [Alessandro] Pajola “the Tasmanian Devil” changed everything, we lost the flow but it was a completely different game”, he also said.
“In this moment, it’s a team that needs confidence, and this game can push our confidence. We deserved to win, we played with great desire and energy. We go to Milano with a great win on the road”, he previously stated. “I try to give confidence to my team, some anchors”, he commented as well.
PHOTO CREDIT: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
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