Gianmarco Pozzecco slams referees for the last-second decision vs. Bayern / News - Basketnews.com

Gianmarco Pozzecco says he couldn't believe the referees' decision to call a foul on Joffrey Lauvergne, claiming the refs don't understand basketball.

Credit: Luciano Lima/Getty Images Credit Luciano Lima/Getty Images

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne head coach, Gianmarco Pozzecco, didn't mince his words after a devasting loss against FC Bayern Munich.

Player of the Game EFF 23 Leandro Bolmaro Points 16 Accuracy 7-14 Rebounds 4 Assists 8

The Italian tactician criticized the referees' decision to call a foul on Joffrey Lauvergne with 2.1 seconds left in 2nd overtime. Niels Giffey made one free throw and clinched a 101-100 win for Bayern in a 2OT thriller.

"I cannot understand. We have to let the players play. It drives me crazy," Pozzecco said in a post-game press conference. "They [the referees] don't understand what this sport is. We have to let the players go for the match [and] do things for themselves. With two seconds left... that's something I don't understand."

"I have a different vision, perhaps. We have to move on. I've lost a million matches in my career; that'll make it a million and one. But I am sad for my players. It hurt me to see their faces in the locker room," Pozzecco added.

Pozzecco was also happy with how his team made its debut in the LDLC Arena opener.

"Everyone gave themselves. My players, opposition players, too. It was a major event, a first match here. Amazing. 12 thousand people behind us. Everything was perfect, my players never gave up. We played basketball, [but] made mistakes," Pozzeco concluded.

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