Inside Saras' locker room: freaks of Fenerbahce and facing green crowd again / News - Basketnews.com

An exhausted yet happy and relaxed Sarunas Jasikevicius, after the intense five-game playoff drama, sat down for an interview withBasketNewsin Monaco.

Credit: Alfonso Cannavacciuolo/EuroLeague via Getty Images Credit Alfonso Cannavacciuolo/EuroLeague via Getty Images

After changing out of his soaked shirts into more comfortable Fenerbahce practice gear, Sarunas Jasikevicius returned from the press conference and invited for the interview into the coaches' room at the Salle Gaston Medecin arena.

Player of the Game EFF 17 Tarik Biberovic Points 13 Accuracy 4-7 Rebounds 5 Assists 0

Backstage at the tight Monaco gym, there was just too much noise and action.

Just moments ago, its corridors echoed with the triumphant cry of the "Bald Eagle"—Nick Calathes' nickname in the Fenerbahce club.

Not long ago, the walls of the "Salle Gaston Medecin" were drenched with water because of an American who became the hero of Fenerbahçe's Game 5 victory.

Later, to congratulate him, Mike James came next to the Fenerbahçe locker room, having tried for five matches to escape the nails of his friend's defense.

Donatas Motiejunas, too, wrapped in a towel, sought to congratulate Saras on the well-deserved victory.

But while most of the other AS Monaco players quickly disbanded from the gym, the guests didn't rush, even though a charter flight home to Istanbul awaited them.

"Just no video interview," Saras warned, swinging the locker room door handle with a smile on his face.

There, immersed in their phones, his assistant comrades shared greetings with their loved ones: Tomas Masiulis, Erdem Bilmen, Alpas Yener, and Radovan Trifunovic.

The company, after the victory in the historic fifth EuroLeague playoff series games, was sipping the beer.

"We have a rule - only green is allowed here," Saras huckled as he grabbed a green can before the interview, having reached his first EuroLeague Final Four as a head coach with Zalgiris in 2018.

Now, he counts his fourth consecutive Final Four and fifth in the last six years. Currently, it's the longest Final Four streak among active EuroLeague coaches.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul / Schedule

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul AS Monaco62-65 AS Monaco Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul79-80

The first EuroLeague team to win Game 5 of the playoff series on the road after 19 failures and the first overtime in the history of Game 5. Sarunas Jasikevicius' name will now be associated with these two historic events

"First-ever overtime in Game 5 history? - Saras was surprised. - Good."

An exhausted yet happy and relaxed Sarunas Jasikevicius, after the intense five-game playoff drama, sat down for an interview with BasketNews in Monaco.

What was the formula for Fenerbahçe's historic achievement after away teams went 0-19 in Game 5?It's really hard to say who deserves credit and who doesn't. But I think the most important thing was to believe after the fourth game.

I don't even know what else can be said about it.

It's probably safe to talk about the "X factors" that decided the series. Sestina, Papagiannis, a small ball, and today - Motley's start. Also, in what dreams could Calathes decide the historic series with decisive three-pointers?Well, Rado, our assistant, said that if they leave Calathes open, he'll punish them because he hits over 40% of his spot-up shots (pause). Damn, I can't say that, opponents listen (smiles).

Calathes really hit shots well. Today, I think he rushed at the beginning, so his shooting percentage was bad, but he can really shoot.

Our team is really hardworking. They come in the evenings and work extra. They shoot, shoot, and shoot... Shoot, shoot, and shoot. Today, I was even angry with Nigel [Hayes-Davis], why do you shoot all night if you come here and don't shoot at the basket? Well, that's how it is.

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