The head coach of Loko talked about his expectations for the first game of the semifinal series against CSKA, which begins in a few hours, at 19:00.
- How can you evaluate your team's readiness for today's game?
- - We'll see on the court, but I think we're fully prepared. I hope we'll be able to successfully implement all our ideas in the game.
- What will be the most important thing to win?
- - Team interaction. We have to stay united both on defense and offense. And remember that you cannot win or lose a series until four victories in the first game. Just as you cannot win or lose one game in the first quarter.
- Tonight there will be a full house at the arena. Is Loko ready to play under the pressure of 14,000 fans?
- - This season we've played several times in front of a packed Basket Hall in Krasnodar, so I don't think the full house will embarrass them.
- Will the fact that CSKA is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the club benefit or hurt their players?
- - That's a good question, but I don't have an answer. We know what kind of team they are - CSKA has only lost two games so far in the VTB United League season, so we shouldn't expect the atmosphere of celebration to have any impact on their focus.
- Did you see the VTB United Youth League finals yesterday, which Loko 2 won?
- - Of course, we watched it with the whole team yesterday. And the day before we watched the semifinals with our coaching staff. This championship is very important for our club - it shows that in the past few years we did a great job.
- How do you think the fact that Kirill Elatontsev was named the most valuable player of the Final Four of VTB United League will influence his game?
- - I hope that it will have a positive effect. He is a very promising player who is making progress very fast. He improved his physical shape perfectly and now he can make the most out of his body. He's reached a whole new level in terms of his understanding of the game in just six months.
- Does Elatontsev have a chance to play today?
- - No. We count on him starting from the second game.
Share with Friends: