The belief that the Pigeon bwin will not be easy prey for any opponent in the BCL playoffs expressed o Nikos Hugaz speaking to EEC Web Radio after his team’s qualification to the round of 16 of the competition. The international ace spoke:
For the qualification to the “8” of the BCL and their return from the 0-3 record: “The 1st game against Hapoel was very crucial and we lost it with a buzzer-beater. Then followed the match in Tenerife where we were not competitive and I think we were affected by the previous result. In the 3rd game we lost in the details inside Turkey. We never stopped believing, especially after 0-3. The coach found a way to convey his faith to us and we never stopped believing. Through the training sessions and the long videos we watched, one victory followed another. We beat Carciyaka at home, then Hapoel and yesterday Tenerife at home.”
About what Vassilis Spanoulis was saying to them after the 0-3: “The coach wanted to take the stress off our backs, after the 0-3 he told us that we have nothing to lose. There were three matches and he told us that after the end we have to look in the mirror and know that we gave it our all. Of course, luck was on our side in the other match and we made it to the “8”, which is a historic achievement for the club”.
About what Vassilis Spanoulis told them after yesterday’s (19/03) result: “Despite the fact that he is quite a strict coach, we heard the congratulations. I personally did not expect to get a day off today, because we play another important match on Saturday. He told us that he is proud of us. A quote he said that made an impression on me is: “When you come out of hell alive, no one will want you as an opponent anymore.” I think that’s how it is, few teams would want to face us in the quarter-finals”.
On how he would describe his team’s European progress so far: “Unique and unrepeatable. It is the first time that the club goes to “8” and now we have nothing to fear, our “ceiling” is defined by us. We are not afraid of anyone and we have shown it, we have beaten very big teams that were favorites in the BCL, Malaga, Tenerife and even Hapoel.”
To support the world: “I would like to say thank you, because after 0-3 the crowd gave a thunderous presence and in their own way gave us the trigger for this turnaround. They deserve many congratulations too.”
What is the reason for this year’s progress of Peristeri: “It’s definitely a matter of coach. But, as he himself says, the protagonists are the players, his plan and tactics are carried out by the players. Certainly, what the coach has done has a very large degree, but our mood and will to do him justice has counted a lot.”
On their progress in the championship, despite the 0-3 start: “Apart from Olympiakos and Panathinaikos, we have to lose from the 1st round, at “Alexandreio”. We have found our automations, our roles, what each of us should do on the floor. We are a team, we play for each other and that shows on the court as well.”
As to whether the goals are now changing: “We achieved a very important achievement in Europe, but we have to keep our feet on the ground. On Saturday (23/03) we have an important match and we want to end the 2nd round with a positive result, to get within a win distance of 4th place. The goal obviously does not change, we want to finish 3rd, go to the play-offs with the advantage at least in the 1st round and then look Olympiakos or Panathinaikos in the eye”.
Source: Sport Fm
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