EuroLeague champions and pioneers Real Madrid came to Greece to face Olympiakos in the series (May 12, 9:15 p.m., Novasports Prime, Match Center on Sportish) and Panathinaikos ACTOR (7/12, 9:15 p.m., Novasports Prime, Match Center on Sportish) for the 12th and 13th matchdays of the competition.

Before this demanding week and after the first European defeat of the season, Eddie Tavares, one of the main pillars of the Queen and one of the most dominant players in Europe, opened his cards to Sportish.

The Cape Verdean great revealed the reasons behind Real’s unbeaten run earlier this season and weighed in Trust to the two Greek teams regarding their presence at the 2024 Final Four in Berlin, while stressing that he did not know whether the Greens had expressed interest in taking over last summer.

The season got off to a great start: Real remained unbeaten in ten games in a competition like the EuroLeague, where everyone involved repeatedly emphasizes how competitive they are. What is the secret of such a successful series?

“I think the secret is continuity. We kept almost all of the players from last year’s squad and added the best point guard in Europe (see Facundo Cabaso). That improved our game. We play great and match each other very well and we are always looking for the player who is on the best day to help us win.”

Last week you lost to Fenerbahce in extra time in the final. In situations like this I always ask myself what is worse: losing a 20 point lead or losing at the last shot?

“It does not matter. A defeat is always a defeat. But when you’re a long way behind, you often know you’re going to lose, and sometimes you don’t know the result until the end.” Second. That’s always a tough loss, especially for a club like Real.

We lost in the EuroLeague for the first time this year. We expected this to happen at some point. We couldn’t stay undefeated because we’re playing in a top competition. We knew the defeat would come either last week (against Fenerbahçe) or this week (against Olympiakos and Panathinaikos away).

Last year you won a game on exhalation. The most important game of the season, the finale of the Final Four. Do these memories and feelings come back before the game against Olympiakos?

“Of course those feelings were great. We had a bad experience in the 2022 Final Four when we lost to Efes, so I understand how they felt at Olympiakos when they were the best team all season and lost by one point. I know it.” It hurts. I understand you. But that’s basketball, that’s life. We will try to do our best and win the next game in the SEF.”

How do you generally feel about Olympiacos Piraeus this year? Do you think he can make it to the Final Four again?

“It reminds me of us last year. Nobody thought we would make it to the Final Four or that we would make it to the Finals and win. You never know. Olympiacos is always there. They are one of the biggest names in Europe. You.” I have a lot of players who know what it’s like to win championships. I think there’s a 99 percent chance they’ll be in the Final Four.”

In the second game of Devil’s Week you will face Panathinaikos AKTOR, a team that was practically rebuilt from scratch this summer. What impression does he have of the Greens so far?

“The feeling so far is great. They have made big steps and brought in a lot of players. They know they have been playing poorly for the last two or three years and they know they have to take steps (p. forward).

They’ve already taken the first steps, hiring a top coach (e.g. Ergin Ataman) and signing players who had a great season last year or came from the NBA. They have achieved the results they deserve so far. They are on the right track and I think they will make it to the Final Four or maybe even win it. You never know”.

Speaking of Panathinaikos AKTOR: The president of the team, Mr. Dimitris Giannakopoulos, mentioned in an Instagram live a few months ago that he would like to have you and Mario Hezonia in the team. Was there a rapprochement between the Greens in the summer?

“I do not know anything about it. My managers always tell me to keep calm and work hard. This is how everything will come. I don’t know if Panathinaikos spoke to them or not. My only concept is to do my best and “We end the season successfully. When the season is over, we will talk about what comes next.”

If there is a proposal for next season, will you consider this option?

“I repeat the same thing. At the moment I’m concentrating on the current season. I want to help the team make it back-to-back in the EuroLeague. I want to do my best. To be the same Tavares as last year or even a little better. That is my only goal. When the season is over, we’ll see.”

According to reports from Spain, the talks you had with Real in the summer about an early contract extension did not bear fruit. In a few months you will be a free agent. What is your priority? Stay in Europe or try out the NBA?

“My priority is my family. If my family is happy with something, we discuss it. At the moment I’m concentrating on my job here in Madrid. “I want to do everything I can to help the club achieve the goals it has.” also made me achieve my goal.

At the end of the season we will discuss everything. Now I want to help Real Madrid win every game and every trophy in front of us.

On a family level, your wife is pregnant with your second child. To what extent has fatherhood influenced you as an athlete and as a person?

“Right now I just want to play for my son because he loves watching me on TV. He always sees me and calls my name when we play away.” When I see these VIDEOS that my wife sends after the games of how happy the little one is and how much my wife loves me, that is my biggest motivation.

It is wonderful. Our second child is on the way and it will be perfect. It is a real blessing for me. My only goal is to make my wife happy and my children happy.

With a great away win over Euroleague Valencia (85-79), Giorgos Tsalbouris’ Bilbao continued its run in the Spanish league, although it missed (0/1 two-pointers, 0/1 three-pointers, 1 rebound, 2 blocks) in nine minutes found on the ground. Former Real Madrid rising star Melvin Panjar did an incredible job for the Basques (23 points, 7/8 two-pointers, 1/1 three-pointers, 6/6 shots in 23 minutes), who finished the game with 64% shooting finished 2-point field. .

Brandon Davis (18 points, 6/13 2-pointers, 6/9 shooting, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals) and Semi Ojeleghe (14 points, 4/6 2-pointers, 2/4 3-pointers) were the ones Two who struggled the most with Valencia will face Red Star (home, 6/12, 9:30 p.m.) and Villeurbanne (away, 8/12, 10:00 p.m.) in the EuroLeague’s monster week.

Real Madrid were promoted to the Liga Endesa without any losses (points and games) before the devil’s week of the EuroLeague on Greek soil against Olympiakos and Panathinaikos AKTOR respectively.

Chus Mateo rested several regular players and gave playing time to players who are not playing a big role this year, such as Carlos Alothen (20’40”), Eli Ediaye (23’53”), Ismaila Dian (8’24”)’ ‘) and Hugo Gondaleth (14’13”).

Dzanan Moussa (17 points, 8 rebounds) led the Queen against his former team, with Chus Mateo leading four other players to double figures.

THE DECADES: 17-19, 41-28, 68-40, 91-58.

real Madrid (Mateo): Kozer 10 (2), Alothen 10 (1), Tavares 4 (5 rebounds), Ediaye 7 (1 three-pointer, 9 rebounds), Moussa 17 (1/5 three-pointer, 8 rebounds), Dian 5, Ambalde 2 (6 assists), Cabasso 3, Gondaleth 12 (2), Hezonia 11 (6 rebounds), Poirier 4, Yule 6 (2).

Real Madrid team statistics: 18/31 2-pointers, 9/28 3-pointers, 28/31 shots, 50 rebounds (41 defensive + 9 offensive), 19 assists, 16 turnovers, 7 steals, 5 blocks.