EUROLEAGUE – An ‘ugly’ weekend for Real Madrid at Final Four

BARCELONA (Euroleague) - Real Madrid coach Emanuele Molin apologized for the "ugly image" of his team on the Palau Sant Jordi hardwood this weekend at the Euroleague Final Four in Barcelona.

Madrid survived a thrilling, five-game series against Power Electronics Valencia in the quarter-finals but were blown out in the second half by Maccabi Tel Aviv on Friday and then crashed to an 80-62 defeat to Montepaschi Siena in the third-place game on Sunday.

"I want to say that I am sorry for the ugly image that we gave on the court," Molin said.

"I feel sorry for the club and our fans, who came here with the hope to see a team able to be loyal to its playing style and give them something more out there.

"It is everyone's responsibility, starting with me."

Having begun the weekend with title aspirations, Madrid lacked fire on Sunday against Montepaschi.

"It was a very complicated game for us, as we had to forget about the semi-final," Molin said.

"A lot off our young players got here for the first time with a lot of hope but without knowing what happens here."

Madrid have had an up-and-down season, which included the unexpected resignation of Ettore Messina as coach after the Euroleague Top 16.

Messina was in Barcelona this weekend to watch the Final Four and Molin, his long-time assistant and good friend.

Carlos Suarez, one of the big signings for Madrid last summer, said: "It's true we have not played well, but after 15 years out of the Final Four, we have to label this season as a success."

FIBA