Llull: “Competing to the end is in our DNA'
“The game was lost but the team reacted well and we brought out that spirit to come back and win it,' commented Sergio Rodríguez following the win.
Sergio Llull, Sergio Rodríguez, Tavares and Hezonja all assessed Real Madrid's win over Partizan in Game 5 of the EuroLeague playoff. The captain reflected on the comeback: “Competing to the end and never giving up, on a game or on a series, has been in our DNA for many years. We showed it again tonight. We were 18 down and we came back thanks to our character and our DNA."
“I'm happy I was able to contribute in the decisive minutes. In a fifth game, experience gives you the edge. Sergio Rodríguez was unbelievable today and Rudy did a stunning job. We all tried to do our little bit and I felt good at that moment, but the win is credit to the team."
Defending Punter
“We changed our defense and laid a few traps for him. Punter is an incredibly talented player who can score in all different kinds of ways, but we managed to tire him out and towards the end he wasn't scoring so freely. It was a team effort."
Sergio Rodríguez: “We reacted well”
“A game that was lost, we fought for it, worked hard and we didn't get nervous, especially at the end of the third quarter, and that was the key. When we went seven points down in the third quarter, that was the goal and it was clear to all of us."
“The team reacted really well. Winning in Belgrade is very tough. We did it twice in barely two days, with lots of injuries. We lost Poirier for this game, he was very close. But we found that spirit and we were very focused. We've done it in the last three games."
“I'm happy I was able to contribute in the decisive minutes. In a fifth game, experience gives you the edge. Sergio Rodríguez was unbelievable today and Rudy did a stunning job. We all tried to do our little bit and I felt good at that moment, but the win is credit to the team."
Defending Punter
“We changed our defense and laid a few traps for him. Punter is an incredibly talented player who can score in all different kinds of ways, but we managed to tire him out and towards the end he wasn't scoring so freely. It was a team effort."
Sergio Rodríguez: “We reacted well”
“A game that was lost, we fought for it, worked hard and we didn't get nervous, especially at the end of the third quarter, and that was the key. When we went seven points down in the third quarter, that was the goal and it was clear to all of us."
“The team reacted really well. Winning in Belgrade is very tough. We did it twice in barely two days, with lots of injuries. We lost Poirier for this game, he was very close. But we found that spirit and we were very focused. We've done it in the last three games."
Personal performance
“I tried to do what I've done my whole life, which is to bring energy. I knew the team needed that extra gear. We started the third quarter and they hit the odd three-pointer. There were also some refereeing decisions which threw us off a but luckily we managed to switch on a string together a good spell at the end of the third which was key."
Tavares: “The Palacio was amazing”
“We were 18 down, we knew we couldn't give in and we stepped up to take the win. I felt great. I knew I had to do something to get back. Thanks to the doctors and the physios I managed to play in Belgrade and in the last game. The Palacio was amazing. They always show up for the big games and today was no different. They gave us incredible energy."
Hezonja: “This team always has a winning heart”
“We've always been this kind of team. We fight like lions, we were 2-0 down. We were going to a court where it's almost impossible to win and we managed to take both games. We had a lot of injuries but we fought and ended up clinching a historic victory."
“In this team, you can always feel that winning heart, whether you're up or down. At half-time, we stayed calm, discussed how we had to up our game because 55 points conceded at half-time is a lot. We managed to do that and in the end we got the win."
“I tried to do what I've done my whole life, which is to bring energy. I knew the team needed that extra gear. We started the third quarter and they hit the odd three-pointer. There were also some refereeing decisions which threw us off a but luckily we managed to switch on a string together a good spell at the end of the third which was key."
Tavares: “The Palacio was amazing”
“We were 18 down, we knew we couldn't give in and we stepped up to take the win. I felt great. I knew I had to do something to get back. Thanks to the doctors and the physios I managed to play in Belgrade and in the last game. The Palacio was amazing. They always show up for the big games and today was no different. They gave us incredible energy."
Hezonja: “This team always has a winning heart”
“We've always been this kind of team. We fight like lions, we were 2-0 down. We were going to a court where it's almost impossible to win and we managed to take both games. We had a lot of injuries but we fought and ended up clinching a historic victory."
“In this team, you can always feel that winning heart, whether you're up or down. At half-time, we stayed calm, discussed how we had to up our game because 55 points conceded at half-time is a lot. We managed to do that and in the end we got the win."