The technician Sarunas Jasikevicius revealed his anger at the refereeing in the press conference after the final of the Euroleague against him Anadolu efes (81-86) and the Barça They have already transferred their discomfort to the highest continental competition for what they consider too rigorous treatment of the referees towards their defense in the title match.
“I don’t want to get in trouble, I’m not happy with some things. The Euroleague is going to know about us, this cannot stay that way. There is no doubt that Efes has a lot of individual talent, they have gone to the free throw line too many times but there are other things that we cannot control, they have already fined me for asking for respect for Cory HigginsObviously there is more respect for the other team, if they fine me again I don’t care but they will hear from us, “he said. Saras after the final.
The Lithuanian coach was referring to the 30 fouls against his team by the referees, the third highest number a team has received in a Euroleague final since 2008. Al CSKA Moscow they were whistled 33 in 2016 and at Real Madrid the same number in 2013. Efes 25 fouls were called to him in Sunday’s final.
For Barça there was different arbitration standard at both ends of the pitch, with the referees protecting the Efes players more than the Barça players. The referees pointed out 10 fouls on Shane larkin, which became 12 free throws scored without failure by the American point guard that were decisive for the fate of the final.