Unfortunately, in the match with unmotivated Slovenia, the wards of the rich were unable to obtain a result and for the first time since 2011 they will not play the championship of the continent. In the last selection match, the Ukrainians finally won the first victory, defeating Portugal, but it is not easier.
After the selection of Ainars, the rich spoke with the press service of the Basketball Federation.
– What are your impressions of playing Portugal?
– I always said that we were playing basketball just to win. This game could be decisive in the fight for reaching the final part of the European Championship. Basketball is always important emotional mood and mental confidence. Yes, we lost the chances of going out to the Eurobasket, but the Portuguese played in this match with their best composition, the arena was filled completely. They did not want to lose: they played roughly and too aggressively. From the first minute it was clear that they would be in the attack, and we, in turn, used appropriate protection.
It is important to follow certain principles from the first to the last second. The first is our decisions in the attack: not to make losses, not let the opponent gain extra points and gain confidence because of our mistakes. Our decisions were either very successful or very unsuccessful. For two matches we made 40 losses. 40 losses! We did not cope with it. However, there was a desire to run and fight, and we also hit our throws. This provided the result that we finally got.
Yes, this game did not have a tournament, but the arena was full: the fans came to hold a team for the European Championship for the first time in many years, so the Portuguese were definitely not going to lose.
– How satisfied are you with our young players in this match?
– Yes, we released young players, and none of them fell out of the game. As I said, no matter how old you are after your passport is important what you give the team. If the player gives two minutes of quality basketball, then it is very good. I am pleased with how they entered the game, how they showed themselves. It was visible that the guys were worried, but we all went through it. I really liked how they were supported by more experienced teammates.
– It was the feeling that in the match with Portugal the team had a different emotional state. What is the difference between this game and the game against Slovenia?
– We were in a hurry to evaluate the situation correctly, lacking cold -blooded and quality solutions. We made 18 losses, did not realize 13 penalties, allowed the opponent to make 18 picks on our shield in the match against Slovenia … We can call it anything, but we were not ready mentally for the aggressiveness of the Slovenes. Portugal also played rigidly, sometimes on the verge of foul, but we were ready for it mentally. Each game begins with a physical struggle. If you are not mentally ready for it, you have lost.
fbu.ua – Not getting into the European Championship is a big blow. What conclusions should be drawn from this situation?
– It applies to all of us. Coaches need to be aware of where we are. Players have received good emotions from the match against Portugal, but everyone has to draw conclusions for themselves. Why did the player or the whole team play in a certain situation did not come next? We can deceive anyone but ourselves. We need to look in the mirror and ask yourself: what could I do better?
We need to understand our place in European basketball. Honestly admit that we are where we are. And together to draw conclusions – players, coaches, federation. Yes, there is a war in the country, not to basketball, but the only thing we can do for the country is to fight, as it was in the match against Portugal.
Now we will need to prepare for August qualification, and it will not be a walk. I think that the federations need to contact players playing in the US and there should be no excuses for them. No one convinces me that the player cannot fly to work out and play four matches for the national team in the summer. If it is too much for them, then I do not understand anything. We need to already understand which players will be in the summer in the team, whom we will bet on. We do not have to wait for a light life from these matches, and we need to focus not on rivals, but on our preparation.
There can be no excuses for players. Someone didn’t come to the collection on time? Free. This begins with discipline and teamwork. Someone came on time and someone was not. Why? Did not have time to do their important things in time in time? It doesn’t matter what qualification, all the best players should have in candidates, plus promising young people. Young people can only progress when they play with strong partners, professionals.
I will be interested in watching the young guys, because I really liked their attitude to work. I have already told them that basketball levels have a speed, solution and, of course, the ability to play physical basketball.
Therefore, you need to prepare for this qualification. The good news, perhaps, is that not so long ago the Latvia national team has played in this selection, and now this team is in the top 7 teams of the world. We will have rivals with a solid past, with history, and they will also play here.
– What emotions did you get from returning to the national team of Ukraine?
– I wanted it, and I was used to doing what I want. When I was invited, I did not think for a long time, I only asked to talk to the club to get permission to combine work.
I came with a good desire to the national team. Now, thinking about these two matches, I think about what I did not guess where I did not hit. However, it is difficult when I plan to give the player 25 minutes of game time, and this player, when leaving the field, immediately hides from the ball. And there were several such players. It surprised me very much, because, it seems to me, everyone got my minutes, we agreed on what and how we play. The physical training coach said that half of the team was not ready for loads, which was a month and a half before the playoffs. And this despite the fact that I was not going to play anyone in these matches.
Some things players have to take on, coaches and federation should make their conclusions. Only together can we succeed, and now we have to start preparation for the summer qualification for the selection of the World Cup.
Source: Sport.ua