Bigger trophies on the way, vow Lions
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Hürriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 06, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - Winning the European Champions League for the second time in a row, Galatasaray Wheelchair Basketball sets its sights on Continental Cup.
Galatasaray beat Germany’s Rollis Zwickau team 82-73 in the final game Sunday to win the title in the most important club competition in wheelchair basketball.
"Non-handicapped Lions" returned to the country yesterday, and promised for more success.
Dilara Endican, the general manager of the Galatasaray Wheelchair Basketball club, said that it was hard to defend the title.
"There were hard groups and knockout games. Each one of our opponents prepared well, but we were the ones who won again," said Endican. "It is important to believe. We have a united spirit in our team, and that was the key."
Team coach Sedat İncesu agreed that it was a hard-won trophy, as every team competed with improved squads compared to last year.
"Our rivals had some important additions to their squads, but we won anyway," he said, thanking to the supporters. "Playing in Germany was a huge advantage for us, we felt an incredible support from our fans."
Altered standards
Endican said the team is aware that it is important to live up to altered standards.
"It is never easy to maintain success," she said. "We will represent Europe in the Continental Cup again, and we want to win it again."
Galatasaray may enjoy winning the Champions League trophy for the third time in Istanbul next year.
"The international federation made a change in regulations this year, so that the holding champion will host the following year’s competition," said İncesu. "So, we have this opportunity. We want to win another European cup in front of our home crowd."
"Non-handicapped Lions" returned to the country yesterday, and promised for more success.
Dilara Endican, the general manager of the Galatasaray Wheelchair Basketball club, said that it was hard to defend the title.
"There were hard groups and knockout games. Each one of our opponents prepared well, but we were the ones who won again," said Endican. "It is important to believe. We have a united spirit in our team, and that was the key."
Team coach Sedat İncesu agreed that it was a hard-won trophy, as every team competed with improved squads compared to last year.
"Our rivals had some important additions to their squads, but we won anyway," he said, thanking to the supporters. "Playing in Germany was a huge advantage for us, we felt an incredible support from our fans."
Altered standards
Endican said the team is aware that it is important to live up to altered standards.
"It is never easy to maintain success," she said. "We will represent Europe in the Continental Cup again, and we want to win it again."
Galatasaray may enjoy winning the Champions League trophy for the third time in Istanbul next year.
"The international federation made a change in regulations this year, so that the holding champion will host the following year’s competition," said İncesu. "So, we have this opportunity. We want to win another European cup in front of our home crowd."