Sergio Scariolo after winning EuroCup: 'Milos is a different player from everyone else' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Rodolfo Molina/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Rodolfo Molina/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

After defeating Frutti Extra Bursaspor in the EuroCup final, Virtus Bologna will play in EuroLeague next season, and the entire organization couldn't be happier with the result.

Player of the Game EFF 16 Kyle Weems Points 13 Accuracy 4-10 Rebounds 4 Assists 2

After the game and some celebrations inside the locker room, coach Sergio Scariolo entered the press conference room to answer some questions and share some thoughts about the season of his team.

"We're extremely happy, it's been a great EuroCup season," Scariolo began. "I want to thank the organization, Massimo Zanetti, Luca Baraldi, and Paolo Ronci. For me, it wasn't easy to leave the NBA, but after tonight's win, it was worth it.

"The organization really respected and satisfied all my requests and my decisions about the roster, they really tried to do everything that I've asked, I'm really grateful for this," he added.

Scariolo returned to the first part of the season when the team struggled from time to time and suffered many injuries.

"In the first part of the season, we had so many injuries that at some point I almost thought that this season was not the right one to win," he said. "After February, we started to recover some players, and with the additions of Toko Shengelia and Daniel Hackett, we added some needed experience and stability."

"I want to thank the players for letting me coach them, even hard sometimes. I felt their trust, which was very important for me," Scariolo added.

Virtus controlled the game against Bursaspor from the beginning and were able to keep Bursaspor's offense under control throughout the game.

"It was important to start the game in the right way, and we did it," Scariolo explained. "From that moment, we were able to maintain a good rhythm, there were also some less efficient moments, but in a game like this, it's normal. The guys that came off the bench, especially in the first half, did a really good job. This was really a team victory."

Free throws this season

70%12,8Points made:12,8Accuracy:70,1%Place in standings:13Record max:26Record min:2Most made FTs:Milos TeodosicTeamEuroCupStatisticsSchedule

Sergio Scariolo, after one question, interrupted for a few seconds the press conference to ask about the result of the football Italian Cup final between Inter and Juventus.

Scariolo is a big Inter fan and was pleased to know that Inter defeated Juventus to win the Cup.

"Now, we can proceed even with more happiness," he added.

Serbian star Milos Teodosic was the MVP of the night, and Scariolo had some nice words for him.

"Milos is a different player from everyone else, I'm very proud to coach him. In the last few weeks, he has been so focused, so much in competitive mode, that I can only say that I'm lucky to have a player like him.

But it's not only about him. We have to talk about Belinelli, our captain, and we have to talk about Kyle Weems, who is always there. This is a great team," Scariolo noted.

Before joining Virtus Bologna, coach Scariolo had recently signed a multi-year contract extension with the Toronto Raptors. The Italian head coach stressed the fact that it wasn't easy for him to leave the USA.

"I had just signed a contract extension with the Raptors. For me, it wasn't easy to say 'thanks for the extension, but I'm going back to Italy'.

But when Virtus approached me, I felt that there was the opportunity to do something special, something big. Tonight was the proof. We did something really important, and now we're on to the next one," Scariolo concluded.

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