VARESE-FILOU OOSTENDE: THE PRESS ROOM
Mar 27, 2019
Coach Attilio Caja at the end of Varese Basketball-Filou Oostende:
«We played a first half where we never managed to get the right pace because we were too thoughtful in defence. I had insisted on the idea of being defensive before the game and, in the end, we went onto court and were too tense in trying to stop them from scoring. In the third quarter, we had good ball circulation, which allowed us to score more than in the first half. The game at that point was channelled in the right direction and in the last quarter we kept them in check with no problems. This is our 40th official match of the season – we have played 23 in the league, 16 in the cup and one in the Italian Cup. They were games where we always played to the best of our abilities – we are not a team that can allow ourselves the luxury of having a high player turnover and being continually on the ball. Indeed, we must always take to court and do our best. And for this, I have to say well done to the lads – they are always on the ball, they are always attentive to what they do and they conquer everything by working hard every day. In the end, if there are a few moments when they don't shine as they always do, this is much more than justifiable. We have got through another round of the FIBA Europe Cup and we are really very happy. We have grown game by game and, even today, we had some positive responses from many players. And this, of course, makes me truly happy. Now let's forge ahead and focus on Sunday's game because it will be another battle that we need to get into armed to the teeth. Now we have a rest day and from Friday, we will begin thinking about the championship».
«We played a first half where we never managed to get the right pace because we were too thoughtful in defence. I had insisted on the idea of being defensive before the game and, in the end, we went onto court and were too tense in trying to stop them from scoring. In the third quarter, we had good ball circulation, which allowed us to score more than in the first half. The game at that point was channelled in the right direction and in the last quarter we kept them in check with no problems. This is our 40th official match of the season – we have played 23 in the league, 16 in the cup and one in the Italian Cup. They were games where we always played to the best of our abilities – we are not a team that can allow ourselves the luxury of having a high player turnover and being continually on the ball. Indeed, we must always take to court and do our best. And for this, I have to say well done to the lads – they are always on the ball, they are always attentive to what they do and they conquer everything by working hard every day. In the end, if there are a few moments when they don't shine as they always do, this is much more than justifiable. We have got through another round of the FIBA Europe Cup and we are really very happy. We have grown game by game and, even today, we had some positive responses from many players. And this, of course, makes me truly happy. Now let's forge ahead and focus on Sunday's game because it will be another battle that we need to get into armed to the teeth. Now we have a rest day and from Friday, we will begin thinking about the championship».