Žakelj: There were good periods, but the concentration was not at the appropriate level

After the triumph over Szczecin in Wrocław, at the start of the Eurocup (99:75), the basketball players of Budućnost Voli successfully opened the season in the AdmiralBet ABA League - last night in Novo Mesto, in the second round of the regional competition, the "blues" defeated Krka (77:72).

Buducnost led from the start, opened the game brilliantly, had an 11-point lead in the first quarter (23:12), and 15 in the second (38:23), but allowed their rival to come back during the second half and, on several occasions, close in on the deficit. However, the "blues" maintained their lead and eventually opened the ABA League with a victory.

"I congratulate the players on their triumph. Victory was our only goal, regardless of how it was achieved. We knew it would be difficult, this was our second game in two days, with travel between matches. The approach was good, but the concentration was not at the appropriate level, which is, in a way, understandable," said the "blues" coach, Andrej Žakelj, after the match.

The future deservedly celebrated.

"It's not easy to play without training, especially against Krka in Novo Mesto, where it's always difficult. There were good periods in the game, but lapses in concentration during the game allowed Krka to stay in the game until the end of the match. Still, we led from the start and deservedly won," said Žakelj.

The Blues play their first match in front of their home fans on Tuesday (19), in the second round of the Eurocup against Napoli. The next match in the regional competition is next Saturday (21) in Belgrade against Red Star.

"I congratulate Buducnost on their well-deserved victory, and my players on their fight. In the first quarter, we showed perhaps too much respect for them, but after that we played an excellent game. We relaxed and got into a rhythm that suits us when we play at home. Thank you to the fans who came to cheer us on, their support meant a lot to us," said Krka coach Domen Zevnik.