Sarunas Jasikevicius, head coach of Fenerbahce, spoke to the media after his team’s 79–73 loss to Crvena Zvezda in Round 31 of the EuroLeague in Belgrade.
Jasikevicius came to Belgrade hoping to extend Fenerbahce’s impressive run of 19 consecutive victories across all competitions, but the Turkish side fell short against a determined Crvena Zvezda team.
Claim Now On the defeat against Crvena Zvezda
“Congratulations to Sasa Obradovic and Crvena Zvezda. They were the more consistent team over these 40 minutes. We actually didn’t play well. Our attitude wasn’t the best, the way it had been over the last two or three months. We need to regroup a little and not feel so good about ourselves. That’s difficult for our players, but we’ll talk about it. We need to stay humble and start a new winning streak that way.
I also have to congratulate my team because the guys did a great job despite the injury problems. They fought and won games to give us a chance in these final months of the season. Today we didn’t deserve to win.” Sarunas Jasikevicius said.
On what decided the game
“As I said, we’ll look at the video, but we missed a lot of open shots in the fourth quarter. Crvena Zvezda is a good defensive team with a big lineup. It’s always difficult, Saša prepared them well. Today the problem was us. We missed a lot, but it doesn’t matter. Overall, we didn’t deserve to win. We can talk about Crvena Zvezda’s defense, but their last seven points came from offensive rebounds and Moneke cutting to the basket. I always think the problem was with us.”
On his coaching career compared to his playing career
“I hope so, but I won’t be a coach as long as I was a player.”
On the possibility of NBA Europe
“The club makes decisions that are best for the club. It’s a very difficult situation and everyone understands that, and the choice is very difficult. I’m in love with European basketball. I love the NBA too, especially when the playoffs come and I know the players there. I have a family and kids who can’t wait to watch games at home.
I’m in love with European basketball and I hope we can find a solution to keep playing in atmospheres like this one. Like when you come to Serbia, Greece, Kaunas… Fenerbahce has a great atmosphere as well. I hope we find a solution, but you have to understand that we can’t stand still. We have to improve and make more money. Everything is about money… That’s life.”
On finishing the game with a smaller lineup
“Everyone was in foul trouble. I won’t say anything about the referees, I have no complaints, but we were constantly in foul trouble. By the time we got to the fourth quarter I had to put Jantunen at center. That was my last option. That way we spread the floor and players can attack an open paint. We can talk about tactics, but we didn’t lose because of tactics.”
On whether the winning streak created pressure
“Us feeling pressure? What did people expect? That we win 20 in a row? The problem is that we didn’t feel pressure. We were relaxed.”
On the role of FIBA and the future of European basketball
“We’ve talked about it. Everyone complains about European basketball. The NBA felt it too. FIBA stands between those two sides. I don’t like FIBA. They’re always behind everything. We have to find a way, even with FIBA. Clubs complain about finances, and that’s the reason why the NBA is here. FIBA and EuroLeague have been fighting for 20 years, and that’s why FIBA is moving toward the NBA. It’s logical. Everyone wants to do what’s best for themselves. If something is done in sports, it has to be about the fans. What are we talking about?
Manchester and their fans? Where is the logic there? People always ask me, but I’m just the coach, the club will give the answer. There are a lot of rumors and nobody really knows what’s happening. It won’t be much better if the NBA appears. It doesn’t make sense because of TV markets and fans. The NBA has ideas and ways, but I’m worried about the fans and the essence of European basketball, which is beautiful to me.”
On Fenerbahce’s goals for the rest of the season
“Did you have many years to think about that question? Just to win the next one. We hope for big things.” Sarunas Jasikevicius concluded.
After this loss, Fenerbahce now holds a 22–8 record and will face Panathinaikos on the road in the next EuroLeague round.
