By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
VITORIA-GASTEIZ Anadolu Efes guard Rodrigue Beaubois had no doubts that his team could defeat Fenerbahce Beko in the EuroLeague semifinal.
The final margin of 19 points (92 – 73) may have been a bit surprising for the French player. But not the win itself.
Eurohoops had a Q&A with Beaubois in the locker room of Anadolu Efes following his team’s qualification to the EuroLeague Final, that went as follows:
Rodrigue, Efes didn’t simply defeat Fenerbahce but made it look easy down the stretch. Did you expect to win with such a lead?
– You never expect to beat a team like Fenerbahce easily but you believe in your chances. We knew that we could beat them. We beat them many times this year. So, it’s not a surprise that we won.
What was the key to your win?
– I think that the most important thing is that we were able to play our game. Play our type of basketball. We were honestly great in that. Of course, our defense was key also. We were able stopped them from doing their thing.
And what do you have to say about this guy (pointing at Shane Larkin and in regards to his record-breaking performance).
– Amazing. He has been playing amazing lately. I’m not even surprised. I’m just happy about him.
You now have to flip the switch rather quickly ahead of the championship game. Is it easy?
– We are enjoying the moment right now in the locker room. But soon, we’ll have to turn the page and focus on the Final. We don’t know who we’re facing. We will watch the game and analyze what we should have to put in the Final.
Do you have any preference between CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid?
– I don’t want to put any… bet. I’ll just say that we will play a great team. No matter which team is.