Saras' experience a huge factor claims Mirotic

The press conferences ahead of this Friday’s EuroLeague Final Four confrontation between Barça and AX Armani Exchange Milan raised plenty of interest, with Saras Jasikevicius and Nikola Mirotic representing the Catalans and Ettore Messina and Sergio Rodriguez speaking on behalf of their Italian opponents.

Saras Jasikevicius

“I was very nervous before my first Final Four, but it’s different now. The first time I didn’t know how to deal with so much expectation.”

“We have to control the parts we can control: our defence, sacrifice, blocks, timing of attacks and so on. Whether the shots go in or not is a harder thing to control.”

“We need to deal with the pressure moments and keep our concentration.”

“Pau Gasol is gradually settling into the team. We always knew it would take time after two years without playing.”

“The nicest thing about the Final Four is the fans. Unfortunately with Covid this year we won’t get to experience that.”

Nikola Mirotic

“I’m very happy to be here after Barça have been missing out for so many years.”

“When I came to this club, reaching the Final Four was always one of my biggest targets.”

“I feel this has to be my moment among so many people who have won so many EuroLeagues but I can only focus on the team.”

“I feel fortunate and now I want to win the EuroLeague.”

“Saras helps all the players because exactly what kind of form we are in and puts us all in the best possible situation.” 

“If you’ve won the tournament MVP award then you must be doing well. But I’m here to win team silverware.”

Views from the other side

The coach of the Italian club has already won the EuroLeague four times, and says his team “has a great season and we are under no pressure even though it’s 29 years since this club last qualified for the Final Four … We need to control the small details.”

Sergio Rodriguez added that “tomorrow we don’t need to change the way we have been playing all season. It is important to be as ambitious as we have been all season, to stay united as a group and work hard.”