By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
When Real Madrid coach Chus Mateo says that “we did not respect Anadolu Efes enough”, there’s no need to explain much more about the win of the Turkish former back-to-back EuroLeague champions in Madrid.
Efes is still missing Shane Larkin due to injury, however, even without him, they managed to get a big win for a 6-4 record in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and coach Tomislav Mijatovic was more than proud.
The former assistant of Ergin Ataman explained after the game that Efes still has the things that made them champions: “We kept our cool despite everything. Real Madrid is a great team, especially at home, it is obvious how dangerous they are. We knew that at some point they could score some difficult shots and get back into the game. Despite this, we never lost our passion for winning and our killer instinct. That’s why I am proud of our players”.
With Sergio Llull cutting Efes‘ lead to one point, the possibility of collapsing under the pressure of Madrid was real. However, this version of Efes earned its wings thanks to their reaction.
“After the difference was down to one, the big players came on stage and scored some big shots”, said Mijatovic. “I sincerely congratulate our players, they fought hard for 40 minutes and kept their cool. As I said, we are talking about Real Madrid, of course, at home they would have scored some very difficult shots. I am very happy and proud of our players’ spirit, we have to continue like this.”