Theodoros Papaloukas, exclusively for the days of the final four, writes on his Blog about the Euroleague for The Insider, which is hosted by Eurohoops. The Greek Euroleague legend, who was the ambassador and the face of the tournament in this final four, shares his feelings and the way he experienced the tournament.
“It was a big final, regardless of the fact that in the last 3 minutes Real secured the win without being threatened and, as the battle turned out, fairly won the trophy. The final score does not reflect the reality of the game, nor the effort Olympiacos made. They started out very well but had a bad second quarter, didn’t take advantage of the momentum that they built early on in the final and I think that they lost their focus from the many missed free throws.
The defense with the switches on every screen turned out to be the right one because it really restricted a lot of basic elements and gifts Real have in offense and this is why Olympiacos was still a contender for the win up until the last minutes, despite being on a bad day offensively. The most crucial moment came with Carroll’s consecutive three-pointers, when the reds got a fast break but with that run he got his team back ahead. He got some big and tough shots just at the moment Olympiacos were taking the final where they wanted it. That’s basketball.
We have to tip our hats to Pablo Laso. He managed the situation properly, he didn’t hesitate to keep on the bench important players and he relied exclusively on those that could only see victory and had the mental toughness to carry out the mission. Nocioni was the biggest key of the game, and Maciulis was also very important.
I have experienced the feeling of defeat in finals in my skin. I know how they feel now at Olympiacos. Who can be fine when you get so close but you don’t get the Cup? The way I see it, from an outsider’s perspective, they should be proud of themselves. Their course and all that Olympiacos accomplished in this year’s tournaments, but in all recent ones as well are magnificent.
My opinion on CSKA
The second final was a strange game. CSKA got a big lead but Fenerbahce demonstrated athletic ego, turned it around and the game was decided in the details, at the end. I would like to express my opinion regarding everything that has happened to my former team in all the recent final fours including the one in Madrid. The problem is not purely one of basketball and it’s wrong for a lot of people to put the blame on certain individuals. The team’s mentality has been hit and this shows in crucial moments of games that decide the Euroleague.
I watched again the semifinal against Olympiacos. CSKA had a plan, they had the right approach to the game and the only thing missing was 1-2 right decisions in the end. A good reading of a mismatch, a good pass, a right choice. The team will win the Euroleague again when some of the guys that are on the roster or some that will come in the future will think exclusively about basketball and the possession in front of them in offense and defense at the moment when the victory is decided.
When CSKA can concentrate on what is happening on the court, are not still preoccupied with the weight of previous failures and exploit the advantages that they have on the court at the crucial moments, they will be victorious. It’s less complex than most people think and than how they feel and think now within the team, under the weight of heartache. The difference will be made by the player or players that will isolate this feeling and every superfluous thought at the time of crisis.
Overall, like everybody is saying the tournament was one of the best in recent years. I would like to thank the Euroleague for giving me the opportunity to experience it in such a nice way and to get to know better Joe Arlauckas and Sasa Djorjevic.
PS: Inma, Abi, Vita, Alex, Nicola, Diego, Javier thank you for everything!
#HolaF4Glory!