Chus Mateo: “We've had an incredible year”
“We've won three trophies out of four in play, 72 out of 86 games, and you can't ask for more,” said the coach proudly.
Chus Mateo spoke to the media in the press room of the Palacio de los Deportes de Murcia and analysed Real Madrid’s season, which was capped off with the club’s 37th league crown: “We've had a great season, an incredible year, and I'm very pleased for the guys. We're sad we lost the EuroLeague final, which would've given us all the trophies this season. We had a very poor third quarter in the EuroLeague final, but we made up for it very quickly by winning the league and quickly recovering from that setback. We've won three trophies out of four in play, 72 out of 86 games, and you can't ask for more than that. I can't remember teams doing that in one season. It's outrageous and we've had an incredible year.”
“We won fairly and we were superior in this playoff final. I'm very happy and proud of the players. They've made a tremendous effort to win three trophies. These guys played their hearts out in a game as tough as today's, when we were nine or ten down at half-time. I'm delighted for the club, for our fans, for everyone who has come and for the lads, who give their all to win. I love this club and I hope we can win more trophies. It's very hard to win three trophies in one season.”
The best thing about the season
“I'll remember that it's been an almost perfect year and, in the playoffs, we didn't lose a single game. I hope every season is like this one. As for me, I work hard every day and very honestly. I'm very well surrounded and very proud to have won five trophies with the team and the club that I hold dear to my heart and I hope I can extend that in the future. I would like to give a special mention to Rudy and Deck, who brought us to the final and was unable to play in the EuroLeague final this year and last year.”
Five trophies in two seasons
“I'm pleased because of the responsibility involved in being here. It's normal to have people who love you and people who don't. I'm just doing my job. Whatever happens, I'm going to have my family and that's the only thing that concerns me, and also that Real Madrid keep winning trophies with or without me.”
Praise for UCAM Murcia
“We have to congratulate them because they have had a great year and a great season. The people in this pavilion feel identified with their team and what UCAM Murcia have done during the season and in the playoffs deserves a lot of credit. They deserved to reach the final. What they did was unbelievable. They are patient here and that's synonymous with success.”