“We will play everything against Schio and we must be aware of it”

Everything was understood to him, yesterday, to Alfred Julbe, in the preview of this afternoon’s match against Ekaterinburg. Passed the first test of fire against Riga, who had to win yes or yes to opt until the end for the ticket to quarters of the Euroleague, today comes a kind of truce of mismanagement against theEkaterinburg, the most powerful rival on the continent, whom many already give as champion of this edition of the tournament. In other circumstances, it might be worthwhile to go out and enjoy, or “learn” from the talent of Breanna Stewart, Torrens, Quigley or Vandersloot, but when you know that in 24 hours you will really play it in another game, that transcendental one. the dilemma of what to do is presented. And Julbe is clear: “We will play everything against Schio and we must be aware of it ».

In the match of the first bubble in Fontajau the Russians broke the game as and when they wanted in the first five minutes of the third quarter. From 30-40 it went to a 39-59 impossible to lift. The prospects for today’s duel are not very different. The Russians already showed their arsenal on Tuesday in the opening against Schio (58-74) and continue to extend their unbeaten run. “The direction of the match is complicated and it will be difficult to manage because we have a proud group, but after 24 hours we will face one of the most important matches of recent times for the club,” the coach continued.

The scenario is this: with the victory against Riga Tuesday and the defeat of the Schio, the struggle for second place, which also leads to quarters, is for Girona and Italy. Uni has a 3-1 record, and Schio, who today face a now-eliminated Riga, 1-3. If today’s predictions don’t fail, both teams would make it to tomorrow’s final depending on themselves. The Spar would be classified winning, or losing by less than 4 points (85-81 in Fontajau, and in case of falling of 4, it would be necessary to look at the general average). The locals would be forced to prevail by more than 4. This is the scenario, but although it is utopian, another can also be written: Uni would be in the quarterfinals winning today or combining its hypothetical defeat against the ‘Ekaterinburg with one of the Schio against Riga.

“I always start the preliminaries by saying that the matches will be complicated because the coaches have to put themselves in the position of the rival’s maximums. But when I say that the one in Ekaterinburg will be a very complicated duel it is more true than all other times. In front will be a constellation of great players. They have a great level in all positions “, recalled Julbe, to insist that Uni, 24 hours later, will face one of the most important matches in recent years. It’s time to compete as much as you can. And wait for the moment, tomorrow at eight in the evening.