Intro:

Reaction following the San Antonio Spurs' 96-90 victory at Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul on Saturday (October 11) in an NBA Global Game.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English): Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs

"I think it (the standard of play in Europe) is getting better and better. The gap is closing. Obviously I still think the Americans are the best and they proved it again at the World Cup. But you know European is a great level. The Euroleague is a great league. And we saw it in Berlin and today. It is just great basketball everywhere around the world."

SOUNDBITE (English): Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs

"Istanbul played great - give them a lot of credit. They made it hard on us And I am just happy to go home know. That was a good win. Can't wait to shave, you know."

SOUNDBITE (English): Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs head coach

"I would like to say 'tesekkur ederim' ('thank you very much) to Istanbul. It was great. It is my eighth or ninth time coming. I always enjoy it. I find another layer of culture or society every time I come. New food every time I come. And a lot of the players were very surprised because most of them had never been to Istanbul before."