Trifunovic and Javtokas optimistic about future 0

Ervinas Spūdys, LithuaniaBasketball.com

After yesterday’s loss to the six-time Euroleague champions Panathinaikos, the new Zalgiris head coach Aleksandar Trifunovic and the Lithuanian national team center Robertas Javtokas were still optimistic in their interviews to Kauno Diena.

According to the coach, the only thing he needs at the moment is time and building a positive attitude inside the team.

“I think the defense wasn’t bad. As I said, time is not on our side. This is a good team, but there are things which cause us trouble. It’s not easy to change our game style or the attitude in two days.”

When asked about things that should be improved, Trifunovic said the team has to play more through the front line, although, he mentioned once more that the game couldn’t be changed in one night.

Javtokas keeps his head held high

Despite the loss against reigning Euroleague champs, Lithuanian national team captain and Zalgiris center Robertas Javtokas believes the team will show its real face in upcoming matches.

“The coach is changing everything, because he has his own philosophy which I, personally, like very much. Everything is good, we just need time. I believe in Trifunovic’s vision. He understands that we can, and want to play fast. We’ll work on it, because we can’t play in the way we do now.”

He denied the rumors that the atmosphere in the team isn’t good:

“Nobody’s ruining the team. We don’t have any problems with foreigners too, they’re great guys. We’re all good. Every team should have an atmosphere like ours. In the past we lacked strictness. Also, in my opinion, we weren’t used properly. We have to play more aggressive and faster – that’s what we need. Now we play too passive, our gameplay should be a little bit different.”