Argyris Pedoulakis remarked upon the team’s concentration when speaking at the Press Conference:“We began focused and very well in the first quarter. We might have thought that this would have been an easy match up. We were so wrong! In the progress of the encounter we failed to perform with team spirit, the game closed, we made mistakes, missed shots from the line and when a game goes crooked after a 16 point lead fear comes into the equation. Ikaros made big time shots; pressured us and we couldn’t handle it. We must learn how to finish up such games when we are ahead. What is to blame? When we have 2-3 guys on a bad day, problems arise. We have experienced this; guys on whom we depend on. All the rest of us must approach the game differently. We suffered 8 points in a single minute during the second quarter. But the same players can’t play all the time. We have obligations continuously. The rest must step up a level”.
Dimitris Priftis, Head Coach of Ikaros, stated: “It was a surprising night for all of us. It is an unexpected win even to us. We believed in it though during the game. What we are experiencing now is a one night joy. We must escape this thought because conceit is our greatest enemy. It is a situation which I had the luck to have to handle last year with Kavala, when the win against Panathinaikos was followed by a catastrophic month. I will try to stay grounded and then on keep my players down to earth. We did not become a better team. We made a step. We were lucky at certain shots and in the end had a better defensive function and defensive rebound. What is most important is the two point award. The rest are one night’s sentiments. Good luck to Panathinaikos’ effort”.
Sofoklis Schortsanitis was at a loss for words in the Press Conference. “We were not focused. We failed to do all our coaches had suggested. I have nothing more to say.What to say? In the last month we have spoke and said patience, work, effort. What a predicament. We continue to work. Everyone must understand where we are playing, in which team we are playing, what jersey we are competing in. When you build a 16 point cushion you just can’t lose. We must go home, look ourselves in the mirror and see what is wrong. Look into each one’s mind.See what the matter is. We are all together! But the thing is what each one has in his mind and his heart. We must forget this game and understand that we must all live up to all that Panathinaikos stands for”.
Vassilis Simtsak stated: “It was a great win for us because it gives us confidence and an appetite. We are coming off two very difficult weeks. We need lots of work yet. We are a new team. Today we made a baby step.We must trust in our coach’s plan. We did not start off well. Panathinaikos was way better. But we improved in defense, pulled big time shots and believed in it. We must play all together every day and better. It is the team’s greatest win in the category and I would like to dedicate it to the team’s President for all he has done for us, but also to my coach and my teammates. Now starts the rough part for us because we will be treated with greater seriousness as it happened last year in Kavala. Good luck to Panathinaikos’ great team”.
