The curtain dropped in the 2012 THY Euroleague Final 4 after the end of the 3rd place game. Zeljko Obradovic spoke about the tournament which ended this evening but also about what’s in store for next, answering journalist queries.
“Initially I would like to state how proud I am of my team, how we made it so far, but also our performance in the semis Vs CSKA Moscow. In a 3rd place game it is much more difficult to find a way of presenting your players with any kind of motivation. We tried, we fought. At this point I would like to say that we had not prepared as we usually do for this game. We simply offered certain pointers to our players. We performed a good game against CSKA, but we must forget these days and all that took place here. Our mind must focus on what’s up next, we must only allow the finals across from Olympiakos to weigh in our minds. We must be prepared, drive energy and fight in every single matchup”.
Obradovic was questioned if the loss of the Euroleague trophy and in the manner in which it came through the defeat from CSKA might be ample motive, answer to which he replied: “You know what the situation is in both Greece and Panathinaikos. Our motivation when traveling towards here was already huge. One thing is sure, that for as long as I am here, in Panathinaikos, I will try for the best. What will happen after, is an entirely different story”.
The day after of Zeljko Obradovic was an issue that also intrigued a Turkish journalist, who asked if he might be in Turkey the next season: “In my mind all that exists right now is the trip back to Athens and Tuesday’s practice, since we must begin preparing for the finals of the Greek League. This is my future. Certainly I will visit Turkey at some point, but I do not know when that might be”.
The Head Coach of Panathinaikos was asked about the fans presence in the court, now, at a very difficult period for Greece as far as the economy goes: “I would like to that everyone who traveled from Athens. And they were more than 4,000 people, during a very hard economical situation for Greece. I would also like to congratulate Euroleague at the people here in Constantinople who aided in making this Final 4 come true”. When asked if he will remain in the court to see the final he answered: “Yes… Because I love basketball, I want to watch a final and I must be respectfully towards the tournament itself”.
