Fenerbahce has a versatile squad, that similar to you, showed character and found ways to perform well and win without its injured stars. How do you think you match up against that team?
”Their strength is their team effort. They have a lot of great individuals, but as a team they are what every coach wants to have. They are tough, disciplined, versatile. They have a big team and can play big, but can also play with a small lineup. They are good on the perimeter. Fenerbahce does not have many cracks you can exploit. No matchup with them is a good one. They have toughness, they have speed and quickness, they are aggressive. But no team is unbeatable. We have to play our basketball and see where it takes us.”
Success for both Laboral and Fenerbahce started with their defense this season, but both teams proved over and over again this season they possess some serious offensive firepower. What do you think will be the key in Berlin?
”It is hard to say in advance. It is important to play good, make shots and have good shooting percentages. You got to play tough defense, and not let the opponent have an easy way. But every time it is something different, so it is a guess what will be a key. The experience of playing in such games is important. I am not sure if it is crucial, but it is important, so you don’t get weak in the legs when you play at such stage. A Final Four stage is different. Ten years ago, I had a fantastic team, but we lost the semifinal game against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the first quarter cause we did not respond to it all. It is hard to tell what will happen, but we will prepare the best we can and try to play the best we can against one of the best teams on the continent.”
Perasoviç'in Euroleague resmi sitesine verdiği röportajdan...
