Barrett is an essential player in our game by Leo Rautins (Canada)

POSTGAME FLASHQUOTES GREECE - BRAZIL

Theodore Papaloukas (player, Greece)

"We've shown character in the game. We played good defense and passed the ball to those players who were in better form today. The tournament starts now with the knock-out games. We deserved to get this far. We were surprised by the crowd. They filled the arena, which is something that has not happened in a while, especially on a Wednesday evening. We understand how difficult this must have been for the fans. It sets the pace for us, and we get all the energy we draw from the crowd and put it in the game. We are playing spectacularly and show willingness, which is something that people expect. New Zealand is a strong team that likes a physical, contact game. Our goal is to qualify to the Olympic Games. We'll use the same recipe: strong defense and a clear head in offense."

Antonis Fotsis (player, Greece)

"We played very well against a very good team such as Brazil. We managed a broad victory, but we must not forget that up until half time we were very close together. The most crucial part of the competition begins now, at this stage where there are no favorites. We have to give it all we've got in every game. We have shown that we play well so far, but what we have done so far does not matter; what matters is what we're going to do from now on, starting with the game Friday."

Yannis Bouroussis (player, Greece)

In the first half of the game against Brazil we've had it tough. However, in the second half we picked up the slack and improved our performance a lot. We were very happy with the fans, who seem to understand us. The next game is a knock-out one and there is no longer leeway for errors."

Nikos Zissis (player, Greece)

"It was a difficult game for us at the beginning, but then we got the reigns and managed to control it. We imposed our own tempo and scored some easy basket. We have played well so far, we believe in ourselves and want to combine victory with a good show… We were flabbergasted to see so many people in the arena. In the beginning we thought there would be 5 to 6 thousand people, but in the end the seats were filled to capacity. The people gave us a boost and helped us tremendously!"...

POSTGAME FLASHQUOTES GERMANY - NEW ZEALAND

Nenad Vucinic, New Zealand head coach

"Congratulations to Germany; they deserved to win tonight. Germany is a good team, well coached, but I am not satisfied with my team. I don't thing we had a good game. We knew we had to deal with the difference in height, but we couldn't stop their inside game after all. We are in the rebuilding process; we have a young team and are here to do the best we can. Today, it turned out that this wasn't enough to beat Germany. You ask me about which team I prefer to play at the quarterfinals; well, you don't have to be a nuclear scientist to go with the team that is not playing at home. Greece is a good team and facing them in front of their own fans will be a difficult mission".

Kirk Penney, New Zealand guard

"Germany deserved to win tonight. We faced problems both on the offensive and the defensive end. I may have tried more shots than I had to. Anyway, we are trying to build a new team, but we need time to develop and move forward. I love to be part of that team and this process. If I had to choose which team to play at the quarterfinals, I would not go with the home team." 

Dirk Bauermann, Germany head coach

"I am surprised to hear coach Vucinic saying that New Zealand didn't play well tonight. We had such a difficult time against their execution! It took us time to understand how to handle with it; only when we switched the match-ups things improved for us. If there is a team to be given a credit for executing so good and playing well overall considering the limited time National Teams have to get prepared, that is New Zealand with no doubt. They may not have as much talent as we have in Dirk (Nowitzki) and Chris (Kaman), but they are playing hard and never give up. Only when their starters begun to feel tired and got into foul-trouble, did we manage to run away at the score. As far as Kaman's performance, I am satisfied, no question about that. Tonight he may not have rebounded a lot, but scored 20 points in as many minutes if play, while being with us for only four practices so far. Chris is a great guy, a hard worker, his condition is perfect and we love to have him around. Concerning our opponent at the quarterfinals, I agree with coach Vucinic and Kirk Penney; I prefer not to play the home team. Facing Greece at its home would be a difficult task. But, anyway, at the end of the day we need to win another couple of games to qualify for the Olympic Games."

Pascal Roller, Germany guard

"Congratulations to New Zealand; they fought on court and gave us a hard time. They had a perfect first quarter, but I think that we controlled the game after that. We have two straight wins so far and we are aiming for another two to get the ticket for the Olympic Tournament. We are looking forward to the quarterfinals."


POSTGAME FLASHQUOTES PUERTO RICO - CROATIA

Peter John Ramos, Puerto Rico center

On the game: "we started the game pretty good, but we suddenly stopped playing tough. If you don't play hard, you won't ever win. I hope that this will be a lesson to us".

On the quarterfinal against Slovenia: "We know them well. We have to get prepared for them, stay focused and play as a team in order to advance to the semi-finals."

Larry Ayuso, Puerto Rico guard

On the game: "Croatia played better defense than we did. We allowed them to score easy lay-ups and open shots. We played only for one half; after halftime just one team showed up on court and that was Croatia. We have to bear in mind this game in order to improve for the next one."

On the quarterfinal against Slovenia: "We have to remain optimistic and think positive. Slovenia is a very good team and we must play concentrated for 40 minutes. We don't have a choice if we want to qualify for the Olympic Games."

On Jasmin Repesa calling for a time-out late in the game: "There is no use to get angry with that kind of things. This was coach Repesa's decision; we can't do anything about it. We missed our chance earlier in the game; Croatia was the better team today." 

Roko Leni Ukic, Croatia guard

On the game: "Puerto Rico holds a talented team and had a very good beginning in the game. Arroyo, who is an excellent player by the way, was in the zone offensively making some difficult shots. But, we played better defence for three quarters, while we were much helped from our bench-players; an area, in which I think we outmatch Puerto Rico. Thomas did a great job guarding Arroyo. Starting from our tough defense we had the opportunity to run the floor for some easy baskets on the fast break."

On the quarterfinal against Canada: "I have respect for Canada, but as long as we play as we did today for 30 minutes, we will for sure earn a birth at the semifinals. If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't be here to play."
Sandro Nicevic, Croatia center

On the game: "We had a loose start and weren't focused. However, we then played smart, tough on defense and completed a good come-back".

On Markota and Planinic being sidelined: "We missed them both, but we have some other players that covered for them. At least Planinic will be ready to help us in the rest of the tournament".

POSTGAME FLASHQUOTES CANADA - KOREA


Leo Rautins (coach, Canada)

"We knew that we were going to face a battle. We played hard throughout the game. So far we have played as we can play, only in the second half of the game. Korea plays with its unique style. That's what Korea did today also. In the first half it seemed that its player would never lose a three point shot. Congratulations to Korea for its game. We tried to "attack" also in defense especially in the final minutes of the game. We trusted in us, talking to each other. I could say that it was a well coached game, but what I am saying is that my players talked to each other and we decided to move on with the players that want to be here. This is the whole thing with Dalembert. We have to talk with him, because we need some explanations. Concerning our next opponent, whether it's Croatia or Puerto Rico , it doesn't matter, because they both have talent and we respect them. They both are very good teams. In any case we have to perform well. We know Puerto Rico very well, with players on its roster that are playing in the NBA.
We know what they can do. They shoot very well from a long distance and their game depends a lot on this. It's more or less like Korea. We have to play good, solid defense. Barrett is an essential player in our game. He never panics. He has played in more than 100 games with Canada. He is a professional and it's obvious by the way he is practicing and he is collaborating with his team-mates. He is a leader".

Levon Kendall (player, Canada)

"Thank God, we got away with the win. We fell behind almost throughout the game. Thank to our defense we changed the course of the game. We scored some big baskets, we got the offensive rebounds and we had the chance to get second chances.

Nam-gi KIM (Coach, Korea)

The fact that we lost today makes me rally sad. Its something that I will remember to the day I'll die. I would really like to see our team make another step forward in the next tournament that will participate, to show that we have learned something from today's game. To protest to the referee really is worthless. The game has now ended. FIBA's regulations can be different in each country. We have to continue with the current regulations and rules. In the next tournament we have to protect our team. Our players do not have experience in international competitions. They are young and talented. I am not referring only to the ones that did travel with us, but also to the ones that are not here because of injuries or because of their own choice. Ha was not 100% healthy. I believe that our team has the potential to be among the eight best teams in the world".

Joo-Sung KIM (Player Korea)

"We became stressed to preserve the lead from the first minutes of the game. We lost a lot of battles for the rebound, we missed some shots and these two were essential factors".