Roger Grimau summed up the initial impressions after the Game 5 of the EuroLeague quarterfinal series against Olympiacos.
The coach of the Catalan team was disappointed after suffering a defeat at home in a physically demanding game, which left them out of the Final Four.
“It’s a tough day. It’s been a very tight game that was decided by a couple of three-pointers they made, which gave them the advantage on the scoreboard that we couldn’t overcome. Apart from that, I want to thank the Palau for their support, it helped us a lot. Not much more to say.
Maybe it could be something deeper, but with such a close game and so few points, when suddenly you have a three-pointer and a foul, those small advantages in such a tight scoreline make a big difference. We competed, and defensively we were good throughout the game, but we lacked accuracy. We took many three-point shots, which is what we aimed for, but we weren’t successful. Defensively, we were good, but offensively, we lacked accuracy in some situations.”
Liga Endesa
“Now it’s time to focus on the Liga Endesa, finish the remaining 2 regular season games, play the playoffs, and go all out. Having lost this game, it’s tough to look to the future, but we have no choice but to try to find our best version for the end of the season.
With today’s result, everything is shattered. You can’t feel good without reaching the Final Four. We have to have a good regular season, but then it’s the playoffs that decide. It’s all been very tight, it was decided by small things except for the fourth game, and any assessments of the season will have to be made at the end after not making it to the Final Four, now it doesn’t make much sense.”
About missed opportunities
“We have wasted the opportunity just like in the first or the fourth game. The Palau has been exceptional, and I won’t tire of thanking them for their support. It’s a pity not to give them this win and qualification. This is sports, Olympiacos did a good job and exploited their strengths, and we lacked something to achieve it.
These are the kind of games that are like this. It’s hard to find good sensations. Some shots are well taken, and others are forced, but some days it’s tough. It’s tough to get going, and as you know, in the end, the team that has a little accuracy and makes 2 or 3 three-pointers changes the game completely. Basically, that’s what happened.
Surely the support doesn’t help, but I don’t think it has to do with physical states or age. Jan Vesely has given us an exceptional season until today, and I don’t think it has to do with this. Obviously, we would have preferred a different schedule, we have said it many times, but this is what we have,” Roger Grimau said.