In a statement after his team, Karsıyaka, lost to Spanish team La Laguna Tenerife 87-76 in the Basketball Champions League Group C, head coach Ufuk Sarıca noted, “We spent the entire preparation period playing offensively as a team, but yesterday we only made 8 assists.”
Sarıca emphasized that Tenerife has had a stable structure for many years, with very good players and an excellent head coach. He expressed his respect for the opponent’s organization, saying:
“There was a period in the first half where we played well, and we went ahead by 7 points, but then suddenly everyone stopped. We spent the entire preparation period playing offensively as a team, but yesterday we only made 8 assists.
In the second half, we tried to catch up with our opponent; we managed to close the gap at one point, but unfortunately, individual play came to the forefront again. There were mistakes, and it wasn’t easy to catch a team that plays so organized and collectively.
Tenerife was better than us, and I congratulate them. We will continue to work; this is just the first match, we have a long road ahead, and we will look ahead.”
