GER – FIBA U17 World Championship quotes of the day : Day 4

HAMBURG (FIBA U17 World Championship) - Day four saw some great games, including a momentous comeback of a 19 point deficit by China, which Germany came close to overshadowing as they almost clawed back a 24 point deficit. With such twists and turns, a seat in the press conference room was worth its weight in gold.

Quote of the day:

“When we were behind by 19 points, our players stopped looking at the scoreboard and started playing again.”
China head coach Bin Fan on how China turned around a 19 point deficit.

Selected quotes from Day 4:

“I have to say this is the perfect game for us. We didn’t play for 20 minutes, for 30 or 35 minutes, we played for the full 40 minutes.”
China captain and number 7 Guo Ailun

“The big difference was the rebounds. 51 against 26 this in basketball makes a big difference”
Argentina head coach Enrique Tolcachier.

“I have to say, we really believed we could do something big.”
Michal Michalek; some may be surprised about Poland’s performances so far, he isn’t.

"We had the game under control until the fourth quarter, when we made some stupid mistakes. In the end these mistakes cost us."
Serbia number 8 Nikola Cvorovic.

“Actually there is indeed a lot of coverage.”
Chinese head coach Bin Fan, asked whether this Championship was covered on the net and in the media in China.

“China is not a surprise. They won the Asian Championship, they have strong and excellent players. We have talent, but we don’t have strength. We have talent, but we don’t have the same strength”
Canada head coach Roy Rana.

“Their defense was really good. Their defense was really strong, but of course their attack was good too.”
Egypt’s Ahmed Gamal, asked what was so tough about playing the USA.

“I am confident we will get the third win we need tomorrow.”
Germany’s number 12 Malik Müller.

“I am sure that everybody here believes that Argentina is the better team, although the scores show we won the game. I think my players learned a lot here today.”
China head coach Bin Fan

“You have to slow down the speed, force them into set play and see what happens. Either way you need to have an extraordinary day to get a chance against the USA.”
Former Germany national team star Ademola Okulaja, on how to beat this USA U17 team.

“It’s been rather good”
Poland captain Michal Michalek with a smile, when asked how the Championship had been so far for him.

“The Argenina coach with a quote in Spanish”
Argentina head coach Enrique Tolcachier after having been introduced by a clumsy moderator as the Spanish coach.

FIBA