“Playoff matches are unlike any other type of matches. We had a tough match today. We had been planning to press the entire game, and we successfully implemented the strategy. I would like to congratulate my players. Each of them performed to their best. We played especially well in the first half. The major factor was that our players displayed excellent individual performances. Specific to this match, I am very pleased with the game we played. We were really good both in attack and in defense. We had a few problems with offensive rebounds in the first half. However, we managed to overcome that by forcing turnovers through pressing. In the last quarter; we made 6 turnovers, and missed 4 free throws and 3 uncontested shots. I wish we had been able to perform in the last minute like we did in the first. We want to play as good in the second match and make our way into the Semi Finals...”

Among the competent players of Anadolu Efes, Birkan stated at the press conference: “We played against a very good team. We knew it would be a hard match. The match was not easy at all. We had a very high conversion percentage for our ranged shots and were good in defense, which brought us the victory. We want to make it to the Semi Finals through a good performance in the second match. A very different atmosphere awaits us this Thursday. Karşıyaka’s fans support their team to the very end. It will be a tough match, but we want to snatch the victory on the road...”