Milano –
These were the words of coach Luca Banchi at the end of game 4 against Olimpia Milano: “Still an intense game, conditioned by a foul situation that put us in an emergency since the first half. We tried to recruit resources in a game where it became difficult to interpret contacts and situations that saw us constantly penalized, as evidenced by the high number of free throws by the opponents. The team fought bravely, finding resources until the end on a night when our backs were against the wall. A competition of great intensity, physical and nervous. There was never a lack of desire and drive from a group capable of a special season, which allowed us to keep our heads up at all times. Every night we wanted to play to win, to prove that this group has all the qualities to succeed. Obviously, to end the season like this leaves bitterness but just as much awareness of the feeling between the team and our fans: this is a valuable asset, determined by the support of a special fan base but also by the character of this team. Credit to our opponents, but as said we continued to believe and fight despite a difficult night.”
“A season that seems 10 years long, with a string of games in a row: every day with a great desire to go to the gym and compete. I am proud of them: there are not only trophies that determine the characteristics of a champion. When you work every day like my players did you can call yourself a champion, tonight I call them such.”
“One regret? In general in game 1 and game 3 there were epilogues that leave regrets and bitterness but I have to be objective in recognizing that the way we came in, without ever a moment’s respite, may have contributed to taking away some of the balance and potential available to us. Tonight was perhaps the only game in which there was significant distance between the two teams. Nevertheless we were back within 2-3 possessions of each other. Ours is a team that has values and resources, even when not at full strength.”
“It has been a season full of emotions, for my part I thank those who gave me the opportunity to coach this club. The team welcomed me immediately: every day I felt the desire to become better. I hope I have lived up to a group full of special guys who are recognized as champions. I have had certificates of esteem for the path in Europe that show that this is a beloved team, in the way it has been on the field, in the way it has been group. In fact, our best victories have come collectively: we have never had individual nights as happened tonight to Mirotic, who shot 18 free throws, beyond a few rare exceptions. We have made sacrifices as a team, with criteria and discipline trying to compete at the level we have arrived at. We earned the respect of top European clubs, who had to sweat to beat us both times. I think our people can be proud.”
