Djordjevic: 'Covid-19 was directing the outcomes like Martin Scorsese' / News - Basketnews.com

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Playoff hopes are already over for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul despite that they managed to survive the Bayern Munich surge in the second half and finally snap their 6-game losing streak.

Points this season

45%74,7Points made:74,7Accuracy:45,2%Place in standings:13Record max:88Record min:60Best scorer:Darrun HilliardTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Once again, it was a typical Fenerbahce win at home this season. A heater skelter type of encounter with many ups and downs, broken plays, wrong decisions, and clumsy turnovers in crucial moments but a decisive high, energy push of the fans.

Head coach Sasha Djordjevic underlined the latter point.

"I think, first two quarters we were really in a game, opened the game well, running the ball, taking advantage of some of their mistakes offensively, we were really locked in," Djordjevic opened his words.

"Third quarter. I don't want to get into it at this point," he continued.

"In the end, we reacted with character. In a competition where you do not have the chance to go further or motivation, demotivation becomes an enemy. We found inside ourselves (the strength) to finish the game with our fans, who always pushed us. I think this is the way we paid back."

In one of the clutch moments of the game,Markel Starks, who joined Fenerbahce during mid-season, made a big three. Coincidentally, it was his first game in EuroLeague at home, which remained his sole point in the competition.

He scored 18 points in the game before and showed that he might offer some more value for the rest of the season.

Djordjevic reflected his delight with the player's efforts.

"That was an important 3-pointer," Djordjevic noted.

"He had the courage to step up and bring something to us on the court. That is why I put him in. He played a good game three days ago in Afyon.

I'm also expecting a lot from the guys who come from the bench to support and energy level. We have some of the injured players coming back to their game shape, which is the most positive thing of this game," he added.

Aleksandar Djordjevic

Position:PG, SGAge:54Height:188 cmWeight:85 kgBirth place:Belgrade, SerbiaProfileNewsStatistics

Also, the Serbian coach urged for a better decision-making phase, in the end, pointing out the absence of Nando De Colo.

"I think Starks rushed the previous shot from the corner. The next one, after he made three, he should not have taken but played more and created more.

At the end of the game, you need clear ideas and leadership, you need ball-handling and play-making. We are waiting for the recovery process of Nando de Colo's injury to see when he is going to be back, and we will see," Djordjevic noted.

Once again, the Serbian coach revisited the Covid-19 situation, which disrupted Fenerbahce's game rhythm, and lamented some possible outcomes that could've been more positive for his team.

"This game was supposed to be played on the 11th of February, 3 days after our Real Madrid game. I remember really well how that game was played here with our fans and what kind of shape and confidence we were in. We were very, very sorry that we had a chance to play with Bayern at that moment due to some Covid-19 issues," he said.

"This Covid issue was like Martin Scorsese here, directing the outcomes," Djordjevic added.

Towards the very end of the game, Djordjevic also had a small discussion with Jan Vesely, who committed a technical foul while objecting to the referees for potential unsportsmanlike conduct.

He was not happy at all with his player's reaction, that could have cost Fenerbahce the game.

"He should be calmer in those situations. Especially in those situations when the game is on the line, I don't think he needs to explode like that. I can understand the desire to win and the desire to play.

He is competitive, but it is one mistake within another one, and in moments like that, he needs to be calm. I did not understand what he was saying, probably, he was talking in Czech. I am saying this in a calm way, but I am not calm at all. It is a must, he must know," Djordjevic concluded.

Fenerbahce Beko is going to play against Panathinaikos to finish their EuroLeague season, on Friday at Sinan Erdem Dome.

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