Bartzokas: “The most difficult tournament”

Giorgos Bartzokas and Giorgos Printezis discussed Olympiacos participation in the Gloria Cup in Istanbul just before the delegation’s departure.

The Greek coach stated that “we are going to be playing the toughest tournament in our entire pre-season. If we take a look at our opponents we’ll see that they have nothing to do with the level of teams we played against in Italy. Then we have the Rethymno tournament and after that the official games of the season begin”.

Then the Olympiacos coach spoke about the preparation up to this point. “I’m happy of the work done up to now. We have been trying to incorporate the new players in the team philosophy the soonest possible so that they respond positively”.

As for the injuries of Darden and Papapetrou and if there is a possibility to acquire a new player for the same position, the Greek coach was clear. “There is no chance we get another player for the ‘3’ position, Darden will be ready in a month tops. There is no reason to get another player and we are waiting for Papapetrou to get well”.

On his part, Giorgos Printezis said that “it’s definitely a tournament with Euroleague level teams. It’s a very important test for us, but friendly games are just that, friendly games. I think we are at a good level, the philosophy is practically the same as last year, only a few elements have changed that also the new players have to assimilate. I believe that we are in a good place in regard to that part”.

As far as his shape is concerned and on whether he has managed to rest following his National team participation, the 29 year old forward answered that “the coach has given me four days leave, I’ve got the most rest I could in that time and I’m now focused on the team’s pre-season both mentally and physically”.