MADRID
Real Madrid's Spanish point guard Sergio Llull believes his team are prepared and will not let "small mistakes" cost them this year's Turkish Airlines Euroleague final.
This season has seen some impressive performances from the Final Four teams: CSKA Moscow; Olympiakos; Fenerbahce Ulker; and Real Madrid.
Now Real Madrid are hoping it will be third time lucky as they aim to banish the mistakes which cost them two previous Euroleague titles.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency on Friday as the Final Four matches approach, 27-year-old Llull promised Real Madrid will "break their bad luck."
The Spanish side has reached two previous Euroleague finals, losing both.
Llull says the team will be relying on home support as the Final Four will be played in Madrid, adding that Real fans are the secret to winning a championship.
"We will play at home and this boosts our motivation. Our fans will be the key, they will be with us and we hope to win it," Llull said. "We have been preparing with high ambition. We don't have any pressure, but playing for Real Madrid comes with big responsibilities. We have to play well and compete until the end," he said.
Real Madrid, coached by Pablo Laso since 2011, were able to reach the tournament finals in 2013 and 2014. However, in 2013 Greek side Olympiakos beat them 100-88 and last year Israel's Maccabi Electra beat them in overtime, 98-86.
Llull claimed that while there were no favorites in the Final Four, Russian side CSKA Moscow are the ones to watch.
‘Fenerbahce Ulker are very tough opponents’
Llull praised their opponents in the Final Four, Turkish side Fenerbahce Ulker by saying: "We know anything and everything about Fenerbahce Ulker.
They have so many talented, experienced and young players and they also have a great coach, [Zeljko] Obradovic. They are very tough opponents. They are playing well, physically, but we will respond. We hope to win and we want to play in the final"
Nicknamed "El Incredible" upon his buzzer beaters in Real Madrid and Spain, Llull added that he would do anything to win the Euroleague title.
The top-tier club-level basketball tournament in Europe, the 2015 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four will be held in Madrid between May 15 and 17.
The winner of the Fenerbahce Ulker/Real Madrid clash will face the victors of the CSKA Moscow/Olympiakos semi in the final.
