Fotis Katsikaris highlighted the meaning of the victory against Kolossos Rodou, naming Keydren Clark as the key player, while Gaios Skordilis made a special reference to the team effort of the second half. The statements at the Press Conference were as follows:
Fotis Katsikaris (Aris head coach): “As I had told before the game, we wanted to win this, no matter how we would eventually do it. In the end, the victory was very hard to get. In the first quarter we were idle, with no energy and no speed, against an opponent which knew what they wanted and how to get it. This, along with our very low percentage in many open shots, gave Kolossos the lead and apparently it was good for us to be just 6 points down at half-time. In the second half we got much better in defense, which by then had proved to be the crucial element in our quest for the victory.
The positive result is what matters. It will help us get better, while we will try to fix our mistakes. I also hope that we will eventually find a tall player to help us in the paint. Betts cannot be in his best shape in attack, in every single game of the year. In the rebounds, though, despite the lack of tall players we managed to prevail, because we went for it. It was a matter of will.
I have a difficult riddle to solve, because every coach counts on certain players before each game. When injuries occur, things change. From this one, I keep the positive attitude and the belief that Clark showed. We discussed a lot during the previous days and he proved to be the key player for us. I had also talked with Dixon, but it seems that he didn’t quite understand my words. Tonight he wasn’t into the game in attack, he had very few shots and he was passing the ball instead.
Congratulations to Kolossos for their effort and for the good job done by Giannis Sferopoulos”.
Gaios Skordilis (Aris player): “In the first half we weren’t focused in defense and we missed too many mark-free shots in attack. Coach had asked us to really play as a team, in order to cover for the injured guys. In the second part we finally managed to do this, we were better and we won. Next time, though, we should be like this since the beginning of the game. I’m happy with my role in the team and I believe that if I get better in defense I will be having more and more minutes of participation”.
Giannis Sferopoulos (Kolossos head coach): “It wasn’t a spectacular game, but still it was breathtaking. We tried really hard and didn’t let Aris score much, although they always try to play the transition game and look for the fast-break. We kept their scoring percentage very low and this helped us stay in the game until the very end.
Even when Aris made a comeback in the third quarter, we showed what we are made of and didn’t give up. The match was decided on some details, such as a three-pointer by Clark, scored with some luck, or a missed rebound afterwards. It is very important for a team like Kolossos to come here and fight against the great Aris. Our team won’t be going as tourists in our away games and we showed this. Good luck to Aris, I’m sure that they will find their way”.
Antonis Asimakopoulos (Kolossos player): “We did the best we could, against a very strong opponent. We fought, but lost in the details. We missed the opportunity to get a victory which would help our team make one step beyond. However, the day when we will make it, isn’t too far. We work hard in order to achieve it. I had had a great time as an Aris player, but now I play for Kolossos and care for the best interest of my team in each game”.
