Scariolo: “We are happy to start the series with a win”

Sergio Scariolo addressed the press in the Movistar Arena after Real Madrid’s victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv in the first playoff game of the EuroLeague: “We are very happy to have started the series with a win and for the way we played during most of the game. I would say that until the game became messy, when it got entangled with this sequence of incidents on the court that took it to a different level.”

“Probably there, due to our own fault, we lost some calmness and focus, which is something we shouldn’t do, but for the vast majority of the time, we were solid on both ends of the court. We are facing a great team that can come back at any moment in the game with their excellent one-on-one players and a strong lineup of shooters and ball handlers.”

Areas to improve
“Surely, we can improve somewhat against a zone defense, but in general, taking into account the level, strength, and experience of the opponent, we are happy to start the series 1-0. The next game will be more difficult; it is a game of great importance in a best-of-five series. We know it, and they know it, so we have to prepare very well.”