“We are here to work”: Opening up the post-Euroleague semifinal quotebook

Since last night’s games ended, it’s been a blur of press conferences and meetings for us here in the press section at the Euroleague Final Four … so here’s another round of wit ‘n’ wisdom from the men guiding and playing the games.

On winning
“Yesterday, we played beyond our limits. My players gave everything. We need the rest.” – Olympiacos coach Panagiotis Giannakis

“I think I owe Josh [Childress] my life for saving me. I tried to win the game, but I saw the shot was going to the left and I didn’t know what to think, but all of a sudden Josh came from out of nowhere and dunked it. Luck always has something to do with the game and today luck was on our side.” – Theo Papaloukas

“[CSKA Moscow] had five players that score, but nothing like our bench that helps us.” – Ricky Rubio

“We improved our offense right when it mattered in the second half. We managed to stop their main players to avoid what happened in Berlin last season.” – Juan Carlos Navarro

“Our great defense was definitely the key to beating CSKA.” – Jaka Lakovic

“We prepared really well so we were ready for [CSKA Moscow]. It was a 40-minute game. That’s our game. We ran ‘til we couldn’t. They have the guys who keep getting voted to the All-Euroleague team. I wanted to show the fans who the real All-Euroleague is.” – Pete Mickael

“I’m so happy. [CSKA Moscow] played so hard it was unbelievable. They have a lot of experience, but we played as a team. I was nervous, but we fought for 40 minutes and finally got the win. I can’t say anything because it would only spoil it.” – Ricky Rubio

On losing
“We lost concentration at the worst moment and that cost us the game. I am really disappointed and it’s really hard to find the words right now. We lost focus in the decisive moments.” – Jan Vesely

“We had the chance to win the game in the lst few seconds of regulation and [Ioannis] Bourousis came up with big rebounds late in overtime. You cannot do that if you want to win a game like this. You cannot allow them to get three offensive rebounds in a row – It costs you the game. We have to get better. We had the game won, but Olympiacos’ rebounds made the difference in overtime.” – Aleks Maric

On the big fat Greek question
“I consider the recent events [in Greece] to have nothing to do with sports. We are here to work. Of course, economic recovery for Greece would be great news. We are here to please the population, but we’re here to play basketball.” – Theo Papaloukas

On the players
“[Linas] Kleiza gets better day after day.” – Olympiacos coach Panagiotis Giannakis

“[Josh] Childress learned how to make the adjustment to European basketball in just one year. I think he proved a lot of people wrong. He’s a big reason [Olympiacos] is here right now.” – Pete Mickael

On miscellany
“When it gets close to that 30-second mark, you have to show what you’ve got.” – Pete Mickael

“Basketball in Europe doesn’t have the power that the NBA has, but we have the speed. We play with our minds more, with the minds of the players and coaches.” – Olympiacos head coach Panagiotis Giannakis in response to a BBC reporter’s question on what distinguishes Euroleague ball from the NBA

On tomorrow’s championship game
“It’s the end of the season; everyone’s tired!” – Theo Papaloukas, responding to the question, “Barça has played less than you have. Is this a drawback?”

“This show is going to be wonderful.” – FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Pascual

“I’m sure this game will be magical.” – Olympiacos head coach Panagiotis Giannakis

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