The post-game press conference of the CSKA - ASVEL game began with a player this time, and not with the ASVEL head coach. The captain of the French club, guard Harold Mrazek, arrived to the press conference room first while the coach was held up. For that reason a majority of the questions asked of the French team were answered by a player.
“We knew we had a tough match ahead of us, and we were hoping to get a win after beating CSKA in France,” said Mrazek. “We started off well, maybe too well. After going ahead early, we couldn't stop their fastbreaks. But CSKA is a very athletic team. They got 10-12 fastbreak baskets and we just couldn't keep up with their transition game. Once they were up by 15 points, it was really difficult to come back.”
- CSKA guard Nikos Chatzivrettas was doing anything he wanted against the ASVEL defense. Had you prepared to defend him?
“We knew that CSKA is a very strong team and that everyone was dangerous, but we weren't expecting Chatzivrettas to be so aggressive. He got really hot. “
After Mrazek ASVEL head coach Philippe Herve answered questions. “It was really tough for us to play such an athletic team as CSKA,” he said. “And it was virtually impossible for our perimeter players to keep up with theirs. They were just too physical for our guys. Our one hope was to pound it inside to Gulyas. Once they adjusted to that, we didn't have much to go to. After that it was just a formality.”
CSKA head coach Dusan Ivkovic again congratulated his players on the victory. The CSKA coach admitted that he was surprised at the 10 points that ASVEL was able to score in the first 2 minutes. “But over the course of the next 18 minutes, I think we sealed the victory. We concentrated and played excellent defense well in transition.
Ivkovic also commented on the club’s decision to fine and give a one-game suspension to forward Darius Songaila. “The club had to respond interview,” said the CSKA head coach. “Darius spoke with journalists during his stay in Lithuanian while he was injured and wasn’t with the team for an entire month. I understand that he is new to professional basketball, but such statements were a mistake. In any case, the suspension is in the past, and tomorrow I expect to see Songaila on the practice floor. We all need to get ready for the game in Perm.
CSKA guard Zakhar Pashutin, who was also at the press conference, stuck to the bare facts of the game: “We didn't get out to a great start in this game, but our coach called a timeout and was able to organize us and get us into our game. After we found our rhythm, we were able to quickly take over the game."
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