Moshe Barda 26/01/2021 00:00
Yannis Sapropoulos (Itzik Belnitsky)
After beating Basconia 82:91 and Real Madrid 84:86 in its last two games, Maccabi Tel Aviv is preparing for a meeting with Fenerbahce in Turkey tonight (Tuesday) at 19:45 in the 22nd round of the Euroleague, when the team is currently coaching , Yannis Sapropoulos, referred to the preparations at a press conference held at Menora Mivtachim Hall, even before the Yellows left for Turkey. Omri Caspi, who was also absent from the victory over Real, will continue to be absent and will not fly with the Yellows to Turkey.
Yannis He opened and said: “We are playing against a team that has won 6 games in a row, they are in their best shape so far. This is one of the teams that currently plays the best basketball in the Euroleague, so as you understand our task is very difficult, but we have the faith, the game plan and I think we will fight to work according to the plan, do the right things and what we want to do the hardwood. It will not be easy, they have players with a lot of experience, but we will fight for our opportunity. It is very important that we stay focused, because if they can finish the game in 2-3 minutes. ”
Fener’s change: “They are playing the best basketball in the Euroleague right now. We respect them, but also ourselves. Fighting against their qualities. Marko Godoric is back and they have not lost since. “They have players who were in the Final Four, who won the Euroleague, I think it took them a while to get used to the new coach’s philosophy and now they’ve done it and they look better now.”
Uncertainty about the corona: “This is a situation I encounter for the first time in my career. Everyone will do the warm-up, everyone will get the briefing and whoever can come up to play, will play. Yes it’s basketball, yes we want to win, but in the end you have to remember that we are only in the middle of the plague, everything is different. We play without an audience, without all the usual conditions. It’s not easy, it’s always in our head. But as I always say, all these problems should disappear as soon as we get on the field. ”
The ability of the players from the bench like Dorsey and Hunter: It is very important for us that all the players are ready to play, because when you play against a team of such quality we need all your players. So I expect all the players to be ready not only to score, but also to create. For me, the most important thing is that everyone understands the game correctly, is smart on defense and is focused. “
TJ Klein’s signing: “I think it is a step forward for him, for us it is another player who will help us in the Israeli league. “He will also play in the Euroleague, I will give him the opportunities, it will take him time to get used to the philosophy and style of play and to what I demand, when he adapts to our method I believe he has good potential to play and be important in the Euroleague as well.”
