Scariolo: “We deserved to win the series and be in the Final Four”

Sergio Scariolo spoke after Real Madrid's victory in the fourth playoff game against Hapoel Tel Aviv and their qualification for the Final Four: “It has been a very good season. We've had four months in the EuroLeague, which everyone defines as the toughest ever, with great teams, and when you think that Real Madrid has five or six teams with a real budget above us, it gives you the real dimension and competitiveness of this competition. Additionally, without Tavares, our most important player. I think the players deserve a lot of credit for this effort.”

“As soon as we recovered a bit of freshness defensively, in the madness of playing games every other day while our rival could prepare and rest, we've shown that we deserved to win the series and be in the Final Four. This is the moment when we feel we have brought Real Madrid back to where it belongs, but the circumstances give this achievement an even greater merit.”

Winning in four games
“The most important thing was to recover a bit, rest, and have the same energy as the rival. Then, adjust a few things. Garuba, thanks to his personal effort and the effort of the medical staff, was able to help, and look how much he helped. It was a team victory, with many players stepping up as protagonists, just as we've played throughout the year and as we want to keep playing.”

Final Four
“We know how to distinguish and savor the situation that separates excellence from the rest, being in the Final Four with great teams that were left out, from the fact that one then has to prepare, compete, and live up to the history, tradition, and present of the club, of our own history.”