Zeljko Obradovic congratulated his players after the end of the game, while he was also asked about Steven Smith as well as the role the defeat from Kavala played.
“We were nervous at the beginning of the game, because we were unsuccessful in open shots. This was something that made us edgy causing uneasiness; this changes later on and mainly in the second half when we changed our defense. This was actually the key that swayed the game. In the second half we played with a team spirit and concentration and so we won; that is something I would like to congratulate my players on.”
When asked about Steven Smiths presence, he underlined: “He is doing a very good job! This year is an opportunity for him. He was not good just today; he has been good in other games too, and must continue on the same path. He must make the most of this season.”
The defeat sustained by Kavala found its way back into the discussion once again: “We had played other games too prior than that one. In some of those games we had lost, in others we had won. Every person can believe what they want; it is their right; but I, being the coach of this team, think nothing more of it than the fact that it was just a game. We move on, take it game by game, and have many more important games ahead of us, starting with the one against PAOK. We must stay focused, work hard, and move on.”
“It is others who do the…dirty job”
Steven Smith was one of the players who performed well in tonight’s game. He admitted to having started on the wrong foot with Panathinaikos, and went on with a “but…”: “It is possible that we were affected by the atmosphere and Zalgiris’ strong start, but in the second quarter we paced ourselves and by playing good defense we obliged our opponents to commit many turnovers. We had an excellent reaction and this is the kind of picture we must show.”
As far as he is concerned, when asked about his performance, he replied by pointing a finger to his teammates: “I keep improving game by game. I grab the opportunity and when I find my space I score. This is what I did today too. Truth be told, it is Diamantidis and Calathes who do the…dirty job, and other teammates too; all I got to do is simply score,” he added with a smile…
