The comment by the “Prometey” head coach Ronen Ginzburg after the EuroCup game with German “Ulm”.

-Coach, it was an impressive comeback, but unfortunately, loss in the final shot. What can you tell us about this game?

I think, it’s a pity loss for us, because first 26-28 minutes we did not deserve to win this game, but then we started playing in defense, we made a good effort. A gap was too much, but in the end we came up to 3-4 points. To look at the game closer, a small mistake here, small mistake there and you need to pay for that. The time, unfortunately, was not with us. I can thank the players for the last 10-12 minutes. Well, it’s a pity loss, as I said, but a group we play in is a very qualified group, so we have to take it as it is.

-Opponents were scoring a lot of very easy baskets in the first three quarters, mainly from screens when your players were playing under. If they were wider, they would not make the mess. What do you need to stop the rivals?

-I would not say we play under the boards. We mostly player with one player there. We changed our solutions, especially on number two, ten times during the game. I think, it’s not about our solutions, it’s about how we play. I think, we did not come with high energy to play in defense. And, you see, in the last quarter, we started playing more aggressive, ten times changed the solution and it worked. So, it’s not about the solution but about how we play the solution.

-You mentioned energy. How did you get your guys to wake up? What did you tell them to finally make them to start playing better in both defense and offense?

-I think, 1-2 times I was shouting, but in the and I was looking for the right players to get to play. It took us 25-27 minutes to find these players to come and play. But again, we tried to shake them more but there was not enough time. But this is basketball, sometimes it’s like this.

-You had a small lead and then, with two points down you took a time-out but it did not work. Was it a play that you called?

-We wanted to make a foul on number 17 or 13. I think it was 13…

-No no. When you were up one with 20 seconds to go, after you scored, you gave them 6 seconds to attack. Do you think, it’s something that you would like to repeat?

-We wanted to score. We don’t know what may happen in the last several seconds. And, first of all, we wanted to score. We had some options and we took them.

-There were a lot of Ukrainian flags in this arena, the support was quite good. How did you feel? Did you feel that you play at home a little bit?

-Yes, there was a great atmosphere. I like that Ukrainian people come and support us. All respect for them. It was really amazing. I did not think that Lithuania would come so much. It means a lot for us. Every persone who came means a lot for us and for Ukraine.

-Coach, “Zalgiris Arena” is a front venue to hold Final Four. What do you think about “Zalgiris Arena”? Do you think it’s a good location for the biggest event in Europe?

-I played as a coach at “Zalgiris Arena” a few times. You feel, first of all, the energy of basketball traditions when you step on this arena. For sure, it’s a great place for this event. And it does not matter if “Zalgiris “ will be in Final Four or not, it is a good place to play.

-Lithuanian Mantas Sernius is assistant coach. How do you like working with him? What traits does he have?

-He does a great job for us; and also a condition coach Mantas. I am happy that I Chose him. He gives a lot of knowledge to players on defense and offense, he enjoy it. He is a good aid for the club.

-You have three wins and three losses in EuroCup. How could you rate your season so far in the EuroCup?

-You know, it’s a half distance and we have 3-3. It’s our first time that we olay in this competition. We are suffering from some injuries, like everybody, I believe. Today, Agada finished for one month, I believe. So, I can say I am satisfied with 3-3, even with this game today. But I don’t think we played well, we can play much better.

-Before the season, there were some talks, that “Prometey” wanted to play in the Lithuanian national league. Do you know how serious that was and how do you like that idea.

-I know that at the certain moment, “Prometey” supposed to play here, it would be great to play here, but to play in the Latvian-Estonian league is also good for us.

-And the last question. I guess, you are watching a lot of basketball and our league is not the exception. How do you like the host of this arena “Zalgiris”game?

-I think, it’s amazing! “Zalgiris Arena”, “Makabi Tel-Aviv” in Israel, “Panatinaikos” are the best. To say about “Zalgiris” games, I don’t watch too much as I am busy with my team, but I know how they play, I know the coach, so I think the results are OK.