Scariolo: “We have players with character and personality, very competitive”

Sergio Scariolo analyzed the Final Four semifinal on Realmadrid TV, which our team will play this Friday against Valencia Basket at the Telekom Center in Athens (8:00 pm CEST; Movistar Plus+): “When I arrived last summer, everyone's wish was exactly this, to return to excellence in European basketball, to be among the top four teams. That’s what I was aiming for when I decided to leave the national team to come back.”

Adjusting to injuries
“The injuries have been a very tough setback, a significant blow. Our team had found an identity, very good chemistry, an identity that now, suddenly, at the last moment, is completely disrupted. Now it’s about playing with smaller lineups, with slightly different strategies. But the motivation, the desire to win, the desire to compete, and above all, what this club's history demands, will not change.”

What is most important when playing the Final Four?
“We have players with character and personality, very competitive. We also have a season behind us that has made us compete against the teams we are going to face—or the team, basically, that we are going to face—because here it’s just one game, you can never talk about two games. You only talk about one game, the semifinal.”

Is there time to try new systems, or do you try to keep everything normal?
“You always have to make some adjustments depending on the preparation for the game and, especially in our case, depending on the completely new situation we find ourselves in due to the injuries. But at the same time, I strongly believe in routine and normalizing commitments.”

What is harder to manage, the emotional aspect of the players or the tactical aspect?
“The tactical aspect is more enjoyable. The emotional aspect is the challenge, meaning it’s the most difficult.”

What do you think could be the keys to winning?
“We have to try to be as close as possible to our best version. Teamwork, willingness to make defensive efforts, the desire to share the ball, the readiness to look for the open teammate, to create advantageous situations for oneself but also for others, the ability to recover from a poor start to the game, the ability to sit on the bench for many minutes and come out with an immediate impact.”

Message for the madridista supporters
“First of all, thank you for the support you have given us. We can assure you that we will continue trying to stay on that path despite the difficulties. Despite setbacks, we will continue to be a competitive team, giving it all on the court, cohesive, capable of channeling everyone’s qualities into one direction, one unique strength, so that you continue to feel proud of your team when the game ends.”

Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.