Match hero Walkup: “The last attack is the most memorable moment of my career” / News

Photo: BNS

Photo: BNS

Photo: BNS

Photo: BNS

Photo: BNS

After eliminating the 7-point deficit in 3 minutes and for the second time this season against Piraeus Olympiacos, the basketball players of Kaunas Žalgiris achieved an impressive victory in the Euroleague – 81:79, and Thomas Walkup became the hero of the match .

With 10 seconds to go, the American showed his defensive skills, grabbing the ball from Costa Slouk, knocking the ball down, and scoring victorious points under the basket.

After the game, Walkup highlighted that the defensive minutes dominated the floor in the decisive minutes.

“It is a difficult and fighting game. We played the whole game with spurs, in the first half we hit many throws that kept us in the game, in the second half the defense dominated and the game reminded us of a dog fight. The last three minutes were based on work and dedication, “said the player at a post-match press conference.

When asked about the last attack and victory points, Walkup said that this episode of his career was on a very high shelf.

“Taking the ball away from such a high-level basketball player at the crucial moment is the most memorable moment of my career. I am very happy that this happened, “said the basketball player happy with the episode.

In the game won against Olympiakos, Walkup managed to score 5 points (1/2 double, 1/2 trit.) In 24 minutes, he recaptures 4 and loses 1 ball, makes 3 assists, commits 2 errors and scores 8 utility points.

– What thoughts come to your head during the last seconds of the game?
– Before taking control of the ball, I knew that we had a foul in reserve and we had to play hard, try to take control of the ball. If there is a foul, the judges will whistle and the fines will not be issued yet. As it happened, I managed to touch the ball with my hand, I took it, it took me a long time to get to my feet normally and before I did, Sloukas caught up with me. I hit the ball to the ground a couple of times, Vasillis Spanoulis was behind me, I did another dribble, I looked at the clock that showed three seconds, I threw a shot and everything ended well.

Man of the match

Effective transfers

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– Do you have in mind a list of the most memorable moments of your career? What moment did this victorious launch reach?
– Not much. When you asked the first question, there was something to think about. When I get home, I’ll try to make a list for you. So far, this is my first decisive pitch in the Euroleague. I am very happy to have won today and to have a mutual advantage over Olympiacos. We have an important week ahead, we will not stop and we will continue working.

– Piraeus coach Georgios Bartzokas was unhappy that no foul was recorded against Kostas Sloukas at the end of the match. Can you give your opinion on this situation?
– I do not want to comment on the work of the judges. You want to fuck me (laughs).

– In the final minutes, opponents missed a free throw, then scored points after the 24-second timer expired. Do you think the situation was favorable and did you have a bit of luck to return to the game?
– Yes, but we were going in the right direction. I don’t think we deserve to have a 7 point deficit at the end of the game. I think we played well throughout the game, except at the end of the game, when they made some shots. However, this is how the match goes, if you slip a bit you will be penalized. Instead, if you play hard and fight to the final siren, good things happen, that’s what happened today. Sometimes the situation turns in your favor, sometimes it doesn’t.