By Dionysis Aravantinos / info@eurohoops.net
In what was a tough game, Maccabi Tel Aviv eventually got the win against Valencia Basket on Day 11 in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
Coach Neven Spahija had quite the reaction when asked about the last possession of the game and why he did not foul. Erick Green had a chance to send the game into overtime but fell short. He stated: “I decided not to foul”, the journalist, however, asked him two more times the same question and Spahija simply stated again, “I decided not to foul”.
Moreover, Spahija was happy with the result but disappointed in his team’s dysfunction on the defensive side of the court. “I’m really unhappy with our defense. I think it’s the first time this year we allowed 91 points. I don’t like it, but I can’t complain. This is the EuroLeague; every win is important, even if it’s 94-91. We cannot win all the time the way we want. The opponent also prepares something.”
He also commented on the game: “There is no easy game in this league. Many opponents and preparation. It was not my favorite win, as we allowed fourteen three-pointers, 91 points but Valencia played really well-disciplined basketball. They are the champions of Spain and a really good team. It is difficult to stop us on the open court and when we defend.”
On the other hand coach Txus Vidorreta also shared his thoughts on the game: “Congratulations to Maccabi, but also to my team. We fought from the first minute until the end, we put in the effort, tried to stop this losing streak. We need to improve on defensive rebounds, and we also need to defeat better the one on one’s battles, especially tonight against Pierre Jackson. It was a good day, but we were not satisfied with the result.”
Coach Vidorreta was asked about his team’s record: “We have played seven games on the road, we have three wins in just four home games. We are not bad. It is our first year in this new EuroLeague. We are learning, improving our roster and I am positive for the future.”