Mihai Silvășan's speech from the dressing room, after U-BT Cluj-Napoca qualified for the EuroCup “quarters”: “Damn! It's extraordinary”
Article by David Istrate – Published on Thursday, 12 March 2026, 20:50 / Updated on Thursday, 12 March 2026 21:03
After qualifying for the quarter-finals of the BKT EuroCupMihai Silvășan (41 years old), the head coach of U-BT Cluj-Napoca, had a calm, settled speech in which he congratulated his students for the performance on the field of Buducnost Podgorica, but urged them not to get too excited and to focus on the next match.
On Wednesday, March 11, U-BT Cluj-Napoca achieved a sensational victory in Montenegro, in the round of 16 of the EuroCup. Starting with the second chance, the Romanian champion started the game strongly, led from start to finish and won 100-82.
Due to this result, U-BT qualified for the “quarters” of the competition, where they will meet Bahcesehir Istanbul. The duel will take place on Tuesday, March 17, at 18:00 in the Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul and will be broadcast on Prima Sport.
But, until then, the black and whites will play one more time against Buducnost, this time in the Adriatic League. The match in Podgorica will take place on Saturday, March 14, at 21:00 and will not be broadcast in Romania.
Mihai Silvășan's speech: “Damn it! You wanted more and used your qualities”
After qualifying for the EuroCup “quarters”, in the team locker room, Mihai Silvășan, the coach of the “students”, had a calm, settled speech. The technician from Cluj congratulated his students, highlighted the qualities they showed and, at the same time, told them to stay focused on the next match, the one against Buducnost.
listen to me I like what I see in the locker room now. You are not very enthusiastic, you do not look like a team that won the EuroCup. It was only Top 16 and we qualified for Top 8. You showed great mental toughness, a lot of character. I dominated this match. I don't know who said before the game that you have to have huge hearts, but you did. You didn't let them play their game. They're bigger, stronger… Damn! You wanted more and used your qualities, your speed, your intensity, and they brought us victory. It's extraordinary.
Now, as I always say, we focus on every step. We are not thinking about Bahcesehir, we have time for that. We are thinking about the next match with them (no with Buducnost). This is the next step. We have to compete and we take it one step at a time. I know it's human nature to think we're going to Turkey, playing in the Top 8 and it's great.
Tomorrow is your day off. Whoever wants to throw can come here at 3 o'clock. If you want to throw or do recovery you can come, whoever wants a day off can have it. That's it. Then we have another practice and the match with them.
Let's keep calm, let's not get too excited and let's not get demoralized. Obviously, now is not the time to be demoralized. You showed a lot of character, had a great performance and showed intensity
– Mihai Silvășan's speech
