Gennario DI CARLO
Orlandina Basket head coach:
“I think the team has played a very good game overall, especially because it was our very official season debut. Some time is required to understand what kind of game would need to play on a tactical standpoint. When we adjusted ourselves to the game, it went the way we wanted; we played the type of the game we wanted. The players were smart enough to understand that the qualification was not to be decided tonight. Now we have to play another game, the second leg, in our home court in Capo d’Orlando. We should focus on recovering our energy to play a great game at home and hopefully get the qualification. The guys are showing confidence in what they do. I think this could be a key factor especially with such a young group of players in the roster. It’s decisive to have players that believe in their work to be successful.

Tonight I’m really happy even though we could have won one point but to play an almost tie game in Saratov and playing after such a long trip is like a victory for me. However, the qualification has to be decided in the next game. We’ll have a great, hot crowd and we will do all we need to get the qualification to the Basketball Champions League. We need their support but I’m sure they know. I live in Capo d’Orlando since 3 years now and I know that our people will be there to help. I also hope that the fans will come from the whole Sicily and not only from our city, to live a historic basketball moment together. We are really one step closer to get this qualification, we’re working really hard. I expect everybody to be at PalaSikeliArchivi on Monday to win and hopefully celebrate all together.”