Two teams making their Final Four returns after many years away will also face off at the European basketball showcase for the first time.
Luca Vildoza, Panathinaikos: 'Being here is spectacular'
Article
3 Mins read
Kostas Sloukas, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens guard
"It's going to be difficult. We know how difficult it is to play against Fenerbahce. We lost our first game there, against a different coach, but it is going to be really difficult. They won in a tough place like Monaco, but we hope that we will have a lot of Panathinaikos fans in the stands. We count on their support and on the team's winning mentality. Being in a team like this makes you think in a different way, with a winning mentality. They changed the way I saw things."
Luca Vildoza, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens guard
"Until I came here, I didn't feel the adrenalin that comes with being here. It feels different. I have fought for many years to be in a Final Four and to be honest, being here is spectacular. In the end, I am here in a Final Four, playing for one of the greatest teams in Europe. I am in my first Final Four and I hope many more will come. I am happy to be here, ready to enjoy it and if I have the chance to be on the court, I will make the most of it."
Mathias Lessort, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens center
"It doesn’t matter that we haven’t been here for 12 years, it’s a Final Four. It’s important. It’s a big game for all four teams. It’s tremendous that we got here. I hope that tomorrow night the achievement will be that we made the final. We played Fenerbahce in the preseason and twice in the regular season. We are professionals, we follow games, we watch games. There are a lot of guys who have been there for years. A lot of guys we have played against each other for years. So we know each other well, but at the end of the day, it’s going to be about being focused, being aggressive on the court, being ready to fight and get the job done. At the end of the day, it’s a basektabll game. We’re in a hotel like we usually do. We have to try to keep the same schedule we usually do. We have to approach it as a basketball game, be as focused as we can and come with a sense of urgency."
Ioannis Papapetrou, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens forward
"We are a brand new team with a lot of new players. We needed the time. We had some early injuries during the season. We needed the time to fight, to play better and be in a better position. As far as Fener, for sure, they needed time, too. They changed coaches, and the new coach brought a lot of new things to the team, and he added a lot of his character to the team. So I think both of us evolved during the season and played our best basketball now. It would be great to limit their three-point shooters and more importantly for me, their creation. They shoot the ball well because they move the ball well and they have great shooters, but they know how to move the ball and get their guys open. So we have to limit that and be over-aggressive to their creation."
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Sarunas Jasikevicius, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul head coach
“As we’re facing the next level of the competition, it’s obvious everything has to improve: our preparation, our discipline, our physicality… everything. Basically, a lot of the difficulties Panathinaikos presents would be similar to Monaco: great guard play, everybody exactly understanding what their roles are, an experienced coach. But at the same time, all the small details like how this is a big game and we are constantly talking about small details. One ball, one turnover, correctly made foul can change the outcome of the game. We need to be ready and every player needs to give 1 or 2 minutes if necessary.”
Dyshawn Pierre, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul forward
"It's honestly an honor. I feel everyone's really excited to be here, and we are just happy. Obviously, tomorrow is going to be a really big game, so we are excited for it, and ready... It's going to be a tough game against Panathinaikos tomorrow. We have to lock in on our principles, starting with defense. When we are hitting shots, we are obviously good but if we are playing really good defense, we are really good, too. We are going to take some things from the two [regular-season] games that we played. But I think each team is going to make adjustments. We have to be able to read the game and do what we think is going to be best for us. Our coaching staff has done a great job outlining it for us for the two weeks that we have been preparing."
Marko Guduric, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul guard
“The semifinals of the EuroLeague. I mean what can I say? It's one game. We are doing our best to prepare. We are going to be ready for this. We play against a very good opponent with a coach we know really well and also some players. The key is going to be concentration and keeping composure because everybody is going to be nervous. There is a lot of pressure. So we just have to be composed and calm. I think that is the key for us.”
Scottie Wilbekin, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul guard
"I think turnovers could play a big role and obviously just making shots. If we can limit our turnovers, that will put us in a good position… It would be amazing to win. That is the goal every season. If we are able to do it, that would be amazing.”