Andrea MAZZON
Avtodor head coach:
“I would like to thank the fans because they really pushed the team in the fourth quarter. I think tonight they won that game. I hope we will always have this kind of support. We knew before that it was going to be a very tough game against a very good team. Bakken won the Danish championship and knows how to play. They are very smart, physical team having very strong athletes in the roster. Our big guys had some problems on the boards in the third quarter. We didn’t score and didn’t get a rebound. Bakken gained so many offensive rebounds. I believe the problem is not a technique or boxing-out. That was all about willing to go for the rebound. I remember two defensive rebounds by Downs and a steal by Zibirov that had nothing to deal with a technique. Instead of it, it has come from the willing not to lose. I just gained the rebound and run hard. Every player has always to keep these two things in his mind.

Of course it was really important to protect the home court advantage. It’s also essential that we have got a chance to play against the team that is completely different from all other teams we faced before (full court press, a lot of changes in defense, zone, trap, etc.). It’s really good as we get another game and another opportunity to learn. So I am a very positive. We won the game and now let’s see about the future. Now we have to keep doing what we are doing and be concentrated.

Somebody can play better, somebody can play worse but also tonight we have used 11 players. And every of them contributed. In a good or in a bad but everybody had an opportunity to play. If somebody enters the court and plays well he will undoubtedly continue. That’s what was happening with some players in the fourth quarter tonight. They were on the court in the last five minutes because they were looking good and deserved to play. The win is the best way to continue and I’m happy for the fans and I’m happy for the guys.”