Here are some insightful comments about the game from the protagonists themselves.
EuroCup Final pre-game quotes: Virtus vs. Bursaspor
Virtus Segafredo Bologna head coach Sergio Scariolo:
"We have to be ready. Players with more experience have to go through this but at the end of the day, it is an opportunity. And opportunities are always a great chance - we made it to the final of a great EuroCup already, and we have to try to take the last step. We worked hard during the season and I am very pleased with that. The work we did during those months was useful, we found some health and incorporated a couple of new players. Once again, I don't like to talk too much about the opponent. I respect them a lot. I respect their coach, their system and their players. They have great shooters and a lot of offensive potential - and they can play defense, too. They have shown that they are able to play on the road as well as at home. It is a great opponent."
Virtus Segafredo Bologna forward Kyle Weems:
"It's been a long time coming. I have been in this competition for a long time, and this is fourth year in a row, going back to Tofas. So to be back at the highest level of this competition is something that I don't take for granted. I am just ready to give anything I have. Bursaspor is very talented and plays really hard. They are well-coached, obviously, they have the Coach of the Year, and they just have a lot of good, selfless players. They play together, share the ball but also have guys ready to perform in big moments. We know them, they know us, we played them two times in the regular season, and both times were pretty close. I think it is going to be a good game. Focus and defense will be the keys. When we are locked in defensively, I think we are one of the best teams in Europe, that is just my opinion. And now, with the additions of Dani HJackett and Toko Shengelia, I think our defense has stepped up and is kind of allowed everyone to step up a little bit. As long as we focus on defense, I think we will be OK."
Virtus Segafredo Bologna guard Daniel Hackett:
"I am very excited to play in the final. Obviously, we are playing for a trophy, which is what we want to do as a club, as a team, give ourselves a chance to fight for 40 minutes and to be here, and try to do the job. We have a tough opponent in front of us, Bursaspor has proved to be very strong on the road, and a very talented team. It will definitely be a battle tomorrow. Executing and small details will be very important. Our demeanot, how we get in the game and for sure, following the game plan. At the end of the day, it is basketball. We have to rely on our experience, on our talent, on the good and positive things that we can bring on the floor. This is what we need to rely on."
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Frutti Extra Bursaspor head coach Dusan Alimpijevic:
"What can I say? We are in the final and it is the most beautiful experience for us. We are feeling pure emotions right now. We are trying to enjoy this moment. For sure, we are not aware of what we did so far. We will need some time for this, but it is the biggest success of our club and the city. It is a final game, so everything is new and different. It is not comparable to those first two games we [and Virtus] played. They found a much better rhythm and played unbelievably, not losing a game since March, I think. They've won a lot of amazing games in a row. By signing these two guys [Daniel Hackett and Tornike Shengelia], they showed how serious they wanted to be in these playoff games. Our confidence is at the highest level, so we don't have a problem with this, but for sure the main thing is how we will respond to their physicality. [Virtus] is a physical team that plays with a lot of contact."
Frutti Extra Bursaspor forward David Dudzinski:
"It is a really exciting time for all of us. We have to keep that underdog mentality, especially in a location like Bologna, against a team that has been trying for years to get to the EuroLeague level. We are loose and having fun with it, and we are ready to compete tomorrow. Both teams have changed a lot; we added John [Holland], who was not with us the first time around. It is only one game; it is not a series. I know we don't have the biggest depth, but if we can play hard for 40 minutes with our lineups, I think we are going to be right here, with a chance to win. We have been in this routine for the last four weeks: going on a trip, coming back, playing a game and traveling again. But we are in a good rhythm right now."
Frutti Extra Bursaspor forward Onuralp Bitim:
"I am really happy. It is like a dream come true. Some people say it is a miracle but for me, it is not. We really deserve to be here and dreamed about this from the beginning of the season. I think we showed everyone, and I hope that we can win the title, ending this fairy tale really well. We played against Virtus and they were not a team like this. Some players were there but they changed a lot in the middle of the season. They added Hackett and Shengelia, and we became a much better team. Two very different teams will face each other in the final. The most important thing is working hard and when the game comes, we will be ready. I am learning every day. Even today, I learned something, even if it was a little bit. Coach [Alimpijevic] teaches us every day and we are happy to have him. I am looking forward to learn more from him next season. We love to play in front of a lot of fans. Of course, we love our fans more, but everybody wants to play in a full gym and it is going to be a great atmosphere. I am really happy because we will have a full gym in the final and we are used to it."