Dimitris Itoudis shares what it means to belong to Fenerbahce / News - Basketnews.com

"If you are not ready to compete, you do not belong here. We are playing for Fenerbahce, we don't play just for us," Itoudis said in the post-game conference.

Credit: IMAGO/Seskim Photo-Scanpix Credit IMAGO/Seskim Photo-Scanpix

Almost twenty minutes after the final buzzer, Dimitris Itoudis appeared in the post-game press conference to analyze what had happened on the Palau Blaugrana hardcourt.

Points this season

48%81,8Points made:81,8Accuracy:47,6%Place in standings:7Record max:88Record min:74Best scorer:Johnathan MotleyTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul made a great effort to erase a 16-point deficit against FC Barcelona in just ten minutes (from 60-44 to 78-76), but they could not complete the comeback (81-80). It was the first loss of the season for the Turkish powerhouse.

Itoudis began his statement by congratulating Barca on the win. Afterward, he summed up the game.

"Besides the great start we have had, they were more decisive. The whole image was that they wanted to win more. On the defensive end, we allowed a lot to some players like Laprovittola, who were hot tonight," said the Greek coach.

"If you consider the fact that we were shooting poorly from the 3-point line, the game becomes tougher. The good thing is that we never gave up. We found players from the rotation like Melih [Mahmutoglu] or Sehmus [Hazer]," he added.

When BasketNews asked him about the character Fenerbahce showed in the last quarter, Itoudis explained what it means to belong to this club.

"I was not here in the previous seasons, so I could not talk about the results. I take the pressure, it's on me. If you are not ready to compete, you do not belong here. We are playing for Fenerbahce, we don't play just for us. We must play with pride and character in every single game. We are representing a club with a big history and with more than 30 million fans."

In a game that was the first defeat after an undefeated month of October, Itoudis remembered they are still lacking chemistry.

"We should not forget we are still a new team. We must learn from every game and every single practice. We need to take lessons from everything. We are in the process of getting to know each other. This is a long process. Euro"eague is a marathon," the 52-year-old specialist pointed out.

Scottie Wilbekin is one of the key pieces for Fenerbahce. However, the Turkish guard could not find the rhythm against Barca. He ended the game with 6 points and 0-4 from the three-point line.

"Scottie is a great player. He is one of those guys you like to work with. I'm very happy with him," Itoudis praised his player. "Jasikevicius decided to focus on him in the pick-and-roll with two guys. He was followed every single play. He is smart, so he has tried to create for others. Maybe he was tired because we needed him in defense too."

Finally, Itoudis joked about Johnathan Motley's last bucket. He decided to go for a two-point basket instead of trying the three.

"He was aware of what we needed. I told him he may feel satisfied loosing just by one. I'm joking. He just did not feel it to make the three. But the last play is not the most important one throughout the game. We were given to much to FC Barcelona," Itoudis concluded.

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