“It’s very difficult to maintain this level”
“We managed to reach the Final Four by winning 30 out of 37 games, and that’s something to take your hat off to. I can only be very proud of the players I have. I repeat, it’s not easy to win in Vitoria because they have players who can score a lot of points, and you have to know how to withstand it when they try to overwhelm you with their fast basketball. I think it was a spectacular game, and people were able to enjoy it.
The season is very long, but we still have to keep going. It’s very difficult to maintain this level due to the quality of the opponents and the schedule itself. We’ve played 74 games, and being in the Final Four in Berlin is a great achievement,” he praised the overall season at a club where the demand is always high.
“We wanted to reach the end with chances, to be in the mix, and we knew that could weigh on Baskonia’s legs. Also, because of the pressure of thinking you might be left out. We secured rebounds, managed the game very well with the point guards, understanding the game, and we won. It was physical and difficult, really.”
“We haven’t done anything yet, but I’m proud to be part of this team and share the locker room with these players. Without them, who are the protagonists, we wouldn’t have won the Supercopa, the Copa del Rey, or be in the Final Four in Berlin. All the credit goes to them, I’m clear about that. You never have certainty that things will go your way, but if you look at this locker room now and when Pablo Laso was here, you know they give their all when it comes to competing.
The line between failure and success
There’s a lot of work behind the scenes from the coaching staff, the fitness trainers, the physiotherapists who tell me when to ease off so that everyone arrives in good shape. This is basketball, and you never know what might happen. The line between failure and success is very thin. The key is the day-to-day work, not relying on someone making a shot from half-court, which are things that can happen,” he reiterated the merit of a team that repeats in the decisive phase to defend its crown.
Baskonia is very difficult to beat, they have many weapons, a lot of firepower. We always have to be careful with this rival because we know they can beat us, and in fact, they already have this year.”
Predictions for the Berlin showdown
“In the Final Four, there are no favorites. Those are things I leave to you to fill newspaper pages or radio minutes. I leave favoritism to you. I wish Baskonia all the best, and if we have to meet again in sports terms, then so be it” Chus Mateo concluded.