By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
After the first ever win of Lokomotiv Kuban in the Euroleague playoffs, coach Giorgos Bartzokas tried to keep a low profile, knowing that there’s still a lot of work to be done by Lokomotiv in the series.
As he said:”It was a very tough game for both teams, the typical first game of a playoffs series. We were nervous in the first half; that is why although we created many open shots, having patience on offense, we were very nervous and we didn’t make them. With these percentages, around 20% from three and around 30-34 from two, we were 6 points down at halftime. We said in the locker room that we had to calm down and keep playing our game. We were very consistent, very patient in this game, just waiting for our time. When we had it, we were very decisive to do what we know well. Obviously, Barcelona is a great team. They have very experienced players and that is why they punished us 10 points at the end of some special offenses, some out of bounds plays that gave them some baskets. They also had many offensive rebounds, but even in this situation, we allowed 8 points in the fourth quarter, which was, for me, crucial to finish the game with a win. I have to say congratulations to the team, the players and the fans. There was a great atmosphere, a great Euroleague playoffs game. Both teams very much want to go on to the Final Four. Right now, I have to say we have to control our emotions. Win or lose, this is what you want to do – control your emotions, analyze the mistakes you make and try to avoid them in the upcoming game.”
Coach Xavi Pascual on the other hand, expects from his team, Barcelona, to react: “First of all, congratulations to Lokomotiv Kuban for its win. It was a game in which we have the feeling that it was in our hand and slipped away in the final moments. I think that, in general terms, it was a typical playoffs opener, with a lot of nerves on both sides, which made the game a little bit imprecise. On the other hand, both teams played good defense. That is why we are two of the best defenses in the competition. Even with this, we dominated the game for the best part of it until the final moments, in which small details made us lose the game: two missed two easy shots and a final action in which Delaney hit a layup. We felt that we had the game under control and that Carlos [Arroyo] was leading us in this game. When you lose, you can always look back and think you could have won with different decisions, but we thought we had a good control of the game. I think we played good during some parts of the game, but were not at out level in the fourth quarter. I have a lot of respect for Lokomotiv and its coach. It is a very, very difficult opponent.”
Anthony Randolph who had an amazing game, believes that the big defensive stops made all the difference:”I think it was a good game. Both teams came out to play and it was a tough defensive game. We were lucky we got stops towards the end of the game and made some big shots. Basketball is a game of runs and ups and downs. All that matters is that when the final buzzer sounds, who wins the game. I think they have a lot of pressure on them and all we have to do is keep playing basketball.”
From the losing side, Pau Ribas expected more:”This is an opportunity that we missed. We made bad decisions in the end and that made us lose the game. It was a balanced game in which any team could have won but it is clear that we have to bounce back and play better on Friday to get a win we couldn’t get today. Win or lose, the mentality would have been the same for our next game and this is what we will do. This is FC Barcelona and we can beat any team, anywhere if we play well on offense and defense. It was hard for us today on offense and not everything we prepared went well. We will work until Friday to see which details did not go well in order to play better offense. We have to come back and try to win Game 2; the team will be mentally prepared to do things better. Game 2 is a key one in the series.”