Writing from Berlin: Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
The Final Four ended with Laboral Kutxa losing the chance to play in the Final and that was the topic still on Giannis Bourousis’ mind.
As the Greek center admitted after the end of the 3rd place game: “You can say that the way the semifinal game was played out, we deserved to be in the Final. However, we were tired in overtime”.
After being asked he added: “Yes, I would like to be the one to take the last shot against Fenerbahce and try to win the game, but that was the coach’s decision and that’s what we did. There’s no use to talk about it any more, it’s over”.
For Sunday’s game he explained: “This game is more about mentality than anything else. After losing in the semifinals the way we did it, it is not easy to play this one. The team tried to play hard, to win the game but didn’t get the win. We had a great season in the Euroleague. Nobody expected to have these results and all of our players gave everything, 100%. It may be my fifth Final Four, but it is amazing how we arrived at this time, because nobody expected it. Our fans were great all season long. We played hard and they helped us a lot, so all I can say is ‘thank you’.”