Laso: 'I take my hat off to the work the team has put in'
“The team is really up for and excited about being in another Final Four and our aim is to try and win the EuroLeague', explained Llull.
Pablo Laso and Sergio Llull reflected on Real Madrid's win and qualification for the Belgrade Final Four. The coach looked back on the game in the following terms: “I'm really proud and happy. Reaching the Final Four speaks volumes of the impressive work the players have put in. We know that the EuroLeague playoff is a key moment and the team was magnificent and gave their all. We played the three games and had the Betis match between them. You've got to take your hat off for the work that the boys have put in and it also speaks volumes of the work done by the club”.
“Right from day one, we were sure that the start of the series would be difficult for us as they came into it on the back of six wins. We produced a really good performance in the first game and our approach to the second match was really good. We came here with a 2-0 lead and said to ourselves that we didn't want to allow them a route back into the series. It was really difficult but we controlled the tempo of the game, the rebounds and put a great amount of effort in defense. I come away from here feeling really happy. I think that it was an extremely tough series and we were aware of just how difficult it’d be”.
Llull’s role
“He brings so much to the team. People often appreciate him just for the points he scores but, for example, in the Breogán match, he dished seven assists and claimed four rebounds and that's all part of his contribution and is important. Everyone wants to see Llull netting mandarinas and scoring points, but he also contributes in many areas that go unnoticed. He’s capable of adapting to whatever the team needs, that's his major strength and it's a pleasure to be his coach”.
“Right from day one, we were sure that the start of the series would be difficult for us as they came into it on the back of six wins. We produced a really good performance in the first game and our approach to the second match was really good. We came here with a 2-0 lead and said to ourselves that we didn't want to allow them a route back into the series. It was really difficult but we controlled the tempo of the game, the rebounds and put a great amount of effort in defense. I come away from here feeling really happy. I think that it was an extremely tough series and we were aware of just how difficult it’d be”.
Llull’s role
“He brings so much to the team. People often appreciate him just for the points he scores but, for example, in the Breogán match, he dished seven assists and claimed four rebounds and that's all part of his contribution and is important. Everyone wants to see Llull netting mandarinas and scoring points, but he also contributes in many areas that go unnoticed. He’s capable of adapting to whatever the team needs, that's his major strength and it's a pleasure to be his coach”.
Final Four
“We have to savour this achievement. The best teams in Europe play in the Final Four. In the last 10 years we’ve appeared in seven. We’ve been champions, we’ve lost finals, we’ve finished third, fourth. All too often the work we have put in to make it this far isn’t fully appreciated. We head to Belgrade aiming to be champions. Seven Final Fours in 10 years speaks volumes about the team over the years”.
Llull: “The team’s produced another great performance”
“We’re all delighted. The team’s produced another great performance in such an incredible atmosphere to play basketball in. This is a result of every player knowing exactly what they have to do and doing their part to achieve one of our objectives for this season, which was to reach the Final Four. The team’s really looking forward to another Final Four and we want to give it our all. We’re pleased but we’re not going to stop. The objective is to try to win the EuroLeague in Belgrade and we’re going to work hard for it.
Champions' DNA
“When the moment of truth comes, the competitive spirit emerges that this team possesses and that this shirt demands. Maybe some people didn't believe in us because we were on a run of bad results, but we believed in ourselves and when the moment of truth came, we stepped up”.
“I always try to help and do my part. Today it was my turn to be on target, but it's a team victory. It wouldn't be possible without the other players. We all contribute and if we play as a team, it's really difficult for us to be beaten".
“We have to savour this achievement. The best teams in Europe play in the Final Four. In the last 10 years we’ve appeared in seven. We’ve been champions, we’ve lost finals, we’ve finished third, fourth. All too often the work we have put in to make it this far isn’t fully appreciated. We head to Belgrade aiming to be champions. Seven Final Fours in 10 years speaks volumes about the team over the years”.
Llull: “The team’s produced another great performance”
“We’re all delighted. The team’s produced another great performance in such an incredible atmosphere to play basketball in. This is a result of every player knowing exactly what they have to do and doing their part to achieve one of our objectives for this season, which was to reach the Final Four. The team’s really looking forward to another Final Four and we want to give it our all. We’re pleased but we’re not going to stop. The objective is to try to win the EuroLeague in Belgrade and we’re going to work hard for it.
Champions' DNA
“When the moment of truth comes, the competitive spirit emerges that this team possesses and that this shirt demands. Maybe some people didn't believe in us because we were on a run of bad results, but we believed in ourselves and when the moment of truth came, we stepped up”.
“I always try to help and do my part. Today it was my turn to be on target, but it's a team victory. It wouldn't be possible without the other players. We all contribute and if we play as a team, it's really difficult for us to be beaten".