With the opening fixture of this season’s FIBA Europe Cup in the books, Anorthosis Famagusta coach Antonis Constantinides believes his team would be making a mistake by believing the contest is over.
Speaking to a post-match press conference after their 81-74 victory against Starlites in the first leg of their qualifiers, the 2023-24 Cypriot League’s coach of the year said it was a pleasure playing against the Malta champions on Tuesday.
“First of all, I want to give my huge congratulations to Starlites for what they showed today,” Constantinides said.
“From the time when we had the draw in FIBA and we recognised we would play against this team, I tried to find information and it was difficult for me and I recognised there is one really good and helpful organisation in this club. As a person of basketball, it is my pleasure to watch and play against me in this competition clubs like Starlites.”
Asked about the game, which brought to the Ta’ Qali Pavilion more than 800 spectators, the Famagusta coach said it was a deserved win.
“I think it is very clear. From the time when we had, we led for almost 39 minutes so, most probably we deserve this win,” he explained, “But this is what I said to my players: ‘if you are not serious for 40 minutes and make our lead bigger when we are up by 10 or 13 points, teams like Starlites can cause you a lot of damage’.
“[The return leg] is difficult for both teams because both teams travel. But I think the game on Friday will be much more interesting also and start from 0-0. So we make a very big mistake if we believe it’s finished. We have just one small advantage on these seven points.
Bench impact amid foul trouble
As is customary with Starlites, the second half brings out the side’s mentality and this caused Anorthosis’ momentum to falter. Constantinides believes they can’t underestimate Starlites despite the difference on paper.
“The game started from the beginning in the last two minutes of the third quarter when it was 13 points, and we made two or three mistakes at the top of the basket,” he said.
“For me, honestly, it’s unacceptable for a professional team to do so. It was like a school team in the last two minutes of the third quarter and it’s a very good lesson for us and we are lucky because at the end of the day, we didn’t finish in defeat.”
Asked about the impact of bench players, Constantinides said: “That is why we pay them to do a good job”, lauding the efforts of new signing Andreas Himonas who joined him at the press conference.
“That’s why one team is from 10 or 12 players,” he remarked.
“That’s why we pay them to do a good job and that’s why Andreas Himonas is here with me because for me he was the MVP today in defence and in offence, and we have to give him congratulations. But I don’t want to underestimate all the efforts Starlites made. They play offensively, it’s not easy for any team to stop this.”
By the end of the third quarter on Tuesday, Anorthosis was at risk of losing three players to fouls, and early on in the fourth, they did in fact, lose centre Andrew Gordon. However, Constantinides believes that was not much of an issue, referencing his philosophy of physical basketball.
“As a coach, this is my philosophy – this is all what I believe. I start first from the defence and after from the offence. I don’t care if they make five fouls or four fouls. That’s why I have 12 players, 10 players,” he explained.
Cancer survivor Himonas lauds ‘great opportunity’
Cypriot guard Himonas came off the bench on Tuesday to finish with eight points, seven rebounds, and two assists in around 20 minutes of play. Asked about the experience with his new team after joining over the summer, Himonas a recovered cancer survivor after having been diagnosed last November, said it was an honour.
“First of all, I want to congratulate Starlites for a great game,” Himonas said, “it’s an honour to represent a huge club like Anorthosis.
“It’s a great opportunity for us, all of my teammates, to play in the Europe Cup and try to be the first team for this club to go to the group stage. We try our best to play for what we represent, our country and the huge club we represent.”
