Zvezdan Mitrovic, Monaco coach: “Happy and unhappy”
Zvezdan Mitrovic, Monaco coach, beaten in extra time (85-81, ap) by Barcelona on Friday, during the 4th day of the Euroleague: “We weren’t close to victory. On the in our hands. On the one hand, I am happy and very proud of the basketball that we have developed, of the character that we have shown. On the other hand … I’m unhappy and sad about the way you end up bowing. We played 45 minutes at a high level and then it was a free throw, a rebound, a decision …
It was one of the two, three best teams in Europe opposite. We go on matches, it’s very difficult and in the locker room, there was a lot of sadness tonight. And to think that in two days (Sunday at 5 p.m.), Dijon is coming here. But the Euroleague, that’s it. This is the price to pay, and we have all accepted it. “
Sarunas Jasikevicius (Barcelona coach): “I wouldn’t say Monaco is ‘young’. If we talk about their experiences in the competition, this is their first season, OK. But they are athletic and have a lot of experienced players. Mike James is a superstar, Will Thomas, Léo Westermann know the Euroleague by heart … They have a good mix of experience and youth.
Watch their first four games. They beat Panathinaikos with authority (75-63), went to snatch a victory in Kazan, despite a very long trip, against a revengeful team (beaten by ASM in the Eurocup final), returned from the hell and have climbed 25 points behind on the floor of Real Madrid and almost won! If you want my opinion, this team will be very hard to beat, to think about it, and they will probably fight until the end for the play-offs. “