As JL Bourg approaches its second EuroCup final, with Game 1 against Besiktas scheduled for Tuesday at 7 PM, coach Frédéric Fauthoux’s team is radiating confidence. Despite a recent setback against Chalon (100-84) on Saturday, Adam Mokoka shared his optimistic outlook in an interview published on the competition’s website.
“We don’t really feel any pressure. The first game of the season against them in Istanbul was months ago. We had a completely different team, and we showed that in the second game at home. Until the semi-finals, we weren’t considered favorites. It was the three Turkish teams [Besiktas, Bahcesehir, and Turk Telekom] against us. So, we’re just going there, playing basketball, and showing why we’re here. And there’s certainly no pressure from that side because we’ll be playing in their home arena. They are the favorites, so I would say we don’t feel any pressure about it.”
This confidence is undoubtedly bolstered by their semi-final comeback against Turk Telekom. After a significant loss in the first game, JL Bourg displayed a much-improved performance, securing a victory in Turkey before closing out the series at home in Ekinox.
“Before Game 1 against Turk Telekom, we had a long break without games, about 10 days, with no matches in the French league. So, we didn’t really find our rhythm from the start. And they came out really aggressive, ready to play, hitting every shot. We didn’t find the answer as quickly as we wanted. And in the first game, as the results showed, it wasn’t really a good performance on our part. But I think it woke us up. We came with a different mentality over there [in Game 2], knowing that we could be eliminated, with our backs against the wall. We just showed why we qualified for the semi-finals and what we work on every day. And that was evident, especially in Games 2 and 3 of that series.”
JL Bourg Shows Strong Confidence Ahead of EuroCup Final Clash
JL Bourg is poised for a historic EuroCup final. With just hours separating them from the first game against Besiktas on Tuesday evening, the team under Frédéric Fauthoux is experiencing a significant surge in confidence. Even after a recent defeat to Chalon (100-84) on Saturday, guard Adam Mokoka expressed a strong sense of self-assurance in a recent interview on the competition’s official platform.
“We’re not really feeling the pressure. The initial encounter with them in Istanbul earlier this season feels like a distant memory. Our roster has evolved considerably since then, a fact we demonstrated in our home rematch. Prior to the semi-finals, we weren’t widely considered contenders. The prevailing narrative pitted the three Turkish clubs – Besiktas, Bahcesehir, and Turk Telekom – against us. Therefore, our approach is straightforward: travel, play our game, and prove our worth. The notion of pressure is absent, especially considering we’ll be competing in their home venue. They are the favorites, and that relieves us of any pressure regarding the outcome.”
This unwavering belief is further solidified by their remarkable comeback in the semi-final series against Turk Telekom. After suffering a considerable loss in the opening game, JL Bourg rebounded impressively, clinching a victory on the road in Turkey before completing the comeback on their home court at Ekinox.
“Leading up to Game 1 against Turk Telekom, we endured an extended period without competitive matches, approximately 10 days, with no games in the French league. Consequently, we struggled to establish our rhythm from the outset. They seized the initiative with an aggressive start, playing with intensity and executing effectively. We were unable to respond as promptly as we would have liked. As the initial result indicated, our performance in the first game was not at the level we aim for. However, I believe that experience served as a wake-up call. We approached the subsequent games with a transformed mindset, fully aware of the potential for elimination and facing a must-win situation. We then showcased the reasons for our qualification to the semi-finals and the dedication we invest daily. This was clearly visible, particularly in Games 2 and 3 of that series.”
English Translation:
JL Bourg “Not Feeling Pressure” Ahead of EuroCup Final
JL Bourg is facing a historic moment. Just hours before their second EuroCup final (Game 1 in Besiktas this Tuesday at 7 PM), the team coached by Frédéric Fauthoux is brimming with confidence. Despite the loss suffered in Chalon this Saturday (100-84), Adam Mokoka expressed his confidence in an interview published on the competition’s website.
“We don’t really feel any pressure. The first game of the season against them in Istanbul was months ago. We had a completely different team, and we showed that in the second game at home. Until the semi-finals, we weren’t among the favorites. It was the three Turkish teams [Besiktas, Bahcesehir, and Turk Telekom] against us. So, we’re just going there, playing basketball, and showing what we’re here for. And certainly, there’s no pressure from that side because we’ll be playing in their home arena. They are the favorites, so I’d say we don’t feel any pressure about it.”
This confidence is undoubtedly fueled by the scenario of their semi-final against Turk Telekom. Largely defeated in the first game, JL Bourg returned with a much-improved performance, first winning in Turkey before finishing the job at Ekinox.
“Before Game 1 against Turk Telekom, we had a long period without matches, about 10 days, with no games in the French league. So, we didn’t really find our rhythm from the start. And they came out really aggressive, ready to play, hitting every shot. We didn’t find the answer as quickly as we wanted. And in the first game, as the results showed, it didn’t really show a good performance on our part. But I think it woke us up. We came with a different mentality over there [in Game 2], knowing that we could be eliminated, with our backs against the wall. We just showed why we qualified for the semi-finals and what we work on every day. And that was evident, especially in Games 2 and 3 of that series.”
