Post-game Press Conference
10.05.2003
Dusan Ivkovic: "I think it was a very tough game. After a good start and a good transition game in the first quarter, we lost the lead, and in the fourth quarter, the most important period of the game, we didn’t play well and lost control of it."
Dusan Ivkovic, Head Coach of CSKA:
- I think it was a very tough game. After a good start and a good transition game in the first quarter, we lost the lead, and in the fourth quarter, the most important period of the game, we didn’t play well and lost control of it. Our team was having offensive problems for almost the entire game. CSKA couldn’t play like they usually do tonight. I can praise the excellent Barcelona defense and would like to wish them well in the final. We shot a lot of 3-pointers and were not shooting well. Unfortunately, our lack of success on offense let to our fouling a lot. I’m not happy with the officiating in today’s game. In the first half our opponents shot 27 free throws, while we shot eight. I respect Barcelona, but I’m confident that they had big big protection from the refs. The player of the game without a doubt was Fucka. Regarding us, we had to make more shots. We missed way to many tonight.
Jon Robert Holden, CSKA guard:
- It was a game played hard, but both teams played well. We missed some important shots down the stretch, and that’s what it comes down to in the end.
I think we played aggressive, and that’s how you play in a Final Four game. When you get 26 points from the line, you can’t ask more than that. But that’s how it is when you play against the home team. It’s part of the game.
- I think it was a very tough game. After a good start and a good transition game in the first quarter, we lost the lead, and in the fourth quarter, the most important period of the game, we didn’t play well and lost control of it. Our team was having offensive problems for almost the entire game. CSKA couldn’t play like they usually do tonight. I can praise the excellent Barcelona defense and would like to wish them well in the final. We shot a lot of 3-pointers and were not shooting well. Unfortunately, our lack of success on offense let to our fouling a lot. I’m not happy with the officiating in today’s game. In the first half our opponents shot 27 free throws, while we shot eight. I respect Barcelona, but I’m confident that they had big big protection from the refs. The player of the game without a doubt was Fucka. Regarding us, we had to make more shots. We missed way to many tonight.
Jon Robert Holden, CSKA guard:
- It was a game played hard, but both teams played well. We missed some important shots down the stretch, and that’s what it comes down to in the end.
I think we played aggressive, and that’s how you play in a Final Four game. When you get 26 points from the line, you can’t ask more than that. But that’s how it is when you play against the home team. It’s part of the game.
