Abalde: “In mental terms, we're at 100%
'Tenerife has made our lives difficult on more than one occasion, such as last year in the Copa del Rey', commented Causeur.
Alberto Abalde and Fabien Causeur spoke to the media ahead of the team’s training session in the build-up to the Copa del Rey semi-final match-up between Real Madrid and Lenovo Tenerife 6:30pm CET. The galician previewed the contest in the following terms: “We’ve faced them twice this season, in the Super Cup and the league. They’re a very good team and have been performing well for several years now. They’ve got some very good players and they play good basketball”.
“This is the Copa del Rey and we're mentally at 100%. Once you get here, your focus changes. The team is united and raring to get out there and play. This evening's game will be very hard fought and tough. We’ll need to put a stop to their creative play. We’ll also have to focus on our defense, rebounds and the tempo of the game. We'll just have to go out and play our game”.
New challenge in Copa del Rey campaign
“Every game is a cup final and this is a totally different context. We face a different team and a different challenge. It's a very attractive challenge and we're a very strong team. We'll have to wait and see what role I'm asked to play in today's game”.
Lenovo Tenerife point guards
“Marcelinho and Fitipaldo are very important players for them. It's a very important game and everyone will be putting in lots of effort to perform and we'll have to keep them quiet”.
Causeur: “We'll have to be wary in defense and on rebounds”
“We're in a good place mentally and are now just two games away from lifting a trophy. We rested up yesterday and are ready for this semi-final. The two teams know each other very well. We both play the same kind of basketball. Tenerife has made our lives difficult on more than one occasion, such as last year in the Copa del Rey. They have a lot of talent and move the ball around very well and we’ll have to manage Shermadini’s inside game”.
“They’re games in which you need a lot of experience and we know how to play these kinds of matches. We’ll have to be wary in defense and on rebounds. Tenerife is a team that likes to control the tempo of the game and has some very dangerous shooters. We can't underestimating anyone and are aware that they're very dangerous in offense”.
“This is the Copa del Rey and we're mentally at 100%. Once you get here, your focus changes. The team is united and raring to get out there and play. This evening's game will be very hard fought and tough. We’ll need to put a stop to their creative play. We’ll also have to focus on our defense, rebounds and the tempo of the game. We'll just have to go out and play our game”.
New challenge in Copa del Rey campaign
“Every game is a cup final and this is a totally different context. We face a different team and a different challenge. It's a very attractive challenge and we're a very strong team. We'll have to wait and see what role I'm asked to play in today's game”.
Lenovo Tenerife point guards
“Marcelinho and Fitipaldo are very important players for them. It's a very important game and everyone will be putting in lots of effort to perform and we'll have to keep them quiet”.
Causeur: “We'll have to be wary in defense and on rebounds”
“We're in a good place mentally and are now just two games away from lifting a trophy. We rested up yesterday and are ready for this semi-final. The two teams know each other very well. We both play the same kind of basketball. Tenerife has made our lives difficult on more than one occasion, such as last year in the Copa del Rey. They have a lot of talent and move the ball around very well and we’ll have to manage Shermadini’s inside game”.
“They’re games in which you need a lot of experience and we know how to play these kinds of matches. We’ll have to be wary in defense and on rebounds. Tenerife is a team that likes to control the tempo of the game and has some very dangerous shooters. We can't underestimating anyone and are aware that they're very dangerous in offense”.