Jovanović: We showed two faces, in the finish we turned the game back to our side with our defense

Before the start of the match, Vladimir Jovanović received a thank-you note from Mega, on whose bench he was from 2020 to 2022, but he did not have a discount - Budućnost Voli won 85:76

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Mega team manager Goran Ćakić gives a thank you note to Vladimir Jovanović, Photo: ABA liga/Dragana Stjepanović

Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

08.04.2023. 21:19h

By winning away to Mega in Sremska Mitrovica (85:76), the ninth in a row in the AdmiralBet ABA League, the Buducnost Volija basketball players "locked" 3rd place before the start of the playoffs.

In order for it to slip away, Vladimir Jovanović's team would have to lose to both Borca and Partizan in Morača, and Cedevita Olimpija would have to beat Mornar on Tuesday in Bar, and Mega and Crvena zvezda in Ljubljana.

"Even tonight, we showed two faces both in defense and attack. The entire first half we played very well in attack, with a good flow of the ball, shooting from established positions, I was very satisfied with that," said Jovanović.

In the first and third quarters, however, the defense gave way.

"We opened the match very soft in defense, the talented Mega team took advantage of that. In the 2nd quarter, we played better, but an old problem appeared - when we make a noticeable difference, we play soft in defense. The Mega players took us over the blocks and in spades in the half court, and when you allow the young players to do that, they will show their talent".

In the finish, however, everything fell into place.

"I'm happy with the last stretch, even though we missed open three-point shots. But we played defense at the level of the 2nd quarter and returned the game to our side", concluded Jovanović, who before the start of the match received a thank you note from Mega, on whose bench he was from 2020 to 2022.