By Antonis Stroggilakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Despite a bad start AS Monaco found a way to beat MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg 87-65 in the first semi-finals of the Basketball Champions League. One year ago the French team was stopped by Banvit in the semi-finals, but this time they made a step further.
“In the first half when didn’t play so well, we followed the game plan. We didn’t want to make turnovers we played against maybe the most aggressive team in Europe. We really took care of the ball and that perhaps stopped my players to play quicker, faster“, said coach Zvezdan Mitrovic.
The sloppy beginning of the game didn’t scare the French team and here’s why. “In the halftime break, we didn’t talk about tactics. I told my players’ let’s go to enjoy the game and play like we played the whole season. In the second half, we showed are a real face“, explained Mitrovic.
When coached Mitrovic is asked about a potential opponent in the final game he gave a straight answer.
“We want to play against AEK. The home court, we are playing for the people, for the spectacle, it’s great to play a final in a sold-out gym“, said, coach Mitrovic.
The German team was off to a good start, but they just couldn’t keep that pace the whole game. Coach John Patrick believes that his players very tired.
“It’s difficult. We played three games in the last five days before we came here. We lost an important player Justin Sears. We started it very well and we run out of gas pretty quick against a team that was fresh. They are a good team, their guards dominated the game. It is a great season for us, but today hats off to Monaco.”, said, Patrick.