“When the final whistle blew, did you immediately realize that you had achieved a major feat in women’s basketball with this success against the untouchable Fenerbahçe?
We realize it, yes and no. From the day before the match, I had convinced myself that we could do it, that it was not a question of dreaming of an exploit. I am happy with the match, with the image we sent. We realize afterwards, when we talk about the series, the quality of the opponent. In the locker room, there was a lot of joy for sure.
Was it necessary to ignore the two humiliations experienced against this same team at the start of the season?
It was simply not the same context. We played them with four or five professionals available. It wasn’t normal to play them with so many absentees and the balance of power was different. Moreover, we decided not to play these first two matches, in order to prioritize the championship. These two “sacrifices” led to two victories in the women’s league.
In this third match, you were always in the game.
It was above all a question of state of mind, of establishing a balance of power. The duel between Gabby (Williams) and Kayla McBride (22 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) was essential, and I told Gabby that she could not stop her. From her first action, she puts it down. And it was the same for our exteriors, aggressive. I think we took a little psychological advantage from the start and we knew how to keep it.
Since her return, Gabby Williams most often sets the tone for your team (nearly 17 points per game on average). Was she essential to this team?
She is very aggressive, and that does the team a lot of good. She has the address, the talent, plays the passes. She is evolving in percussion, particularly at the moment and it suits her well. He has been one of our spearheads since the return from the break.
Doesn’t this feat amplify the regrets of being only two victories away in the Euroleague and of no longer having your destiny in hand for the quarters?
Of course there are regrets. I think we have the level to play a quarter. We have the level to play in a Final Four. The problem was playing four or five professionals in the first matches. This is not normal when you have ambitions. From now on, let’s win all our matches and we’ll see.
Your managers announced, when the rumor of your replacement appeared at the start of the season, that they wanted to judge you on your results once the team was complete.
The club wanted to judge me on the Euroleague, I show that I am capable of winning Fener. And collectively, we show that we are capable of beating anyone. Yesterday (Tuesday), we showed serenity, calm, cohesion, solidarity. This is what should allow us to be very ambitious for the second part of the season.
On condition of gaining stability in performance?
The ups and downs are absorbed. For Fenerbahçe to be at 51 victories in a row, it is because they approached each opponent in the same way, seriously. We must take inspiration from this team, seek to take shelter and then manage when we can do so. For that, we need training, which we have rarely had since the start of the season. We must also gain defensive consistency, this is what will allow us to remain ambitious. »
