Sfairopoulos: “We have faith in the team”
Olympiacos hosts Cedevita on Thursday (15/10, 21:45), Novasports 2) at Heraklion for the Greek Champion’s premiere for the Euroleague. Giannis Sfairopoulos spoke about the game against the Croatian team.
“It’s important for us to begin the competition with a home game which will not be played at the Peace and friendship Stadium but will nevertheless will be played in a full gym. This is very important for the fans of Olympiacos at Crete, but also for the whole of the fans of Crete. I also wish to thank the Olympiacos fans that are going to be filling the gym from what I’ve been hearing, as well as all those who helped for the game to be taking place here. In regard to the game itself, it’s the Euroleague premiere and each premiere has its difficulties. It’s very important for us to begin with a victory. We play against the Croatian Champion. A very well organized team on the court. They play as a team on both ends of the court and we have to be ready and focused. We need to impose our rhythm and take the game where we want it to go. It’s a new beginning for us, we are a new team with goals and all together, focusing at one game at a time, want to succeed in our goals for the season set for the Euroleague competition”, the Greek coach originally said. Then he was asked about the Heraklion gym. “It’s excellent, it’s the first time I come to this gym as well and I’m impressed by the court and the tribunes and the whole of the facilities and all it provides for. This gym is a jewel and it’s all the more important a Euroleague game will be played here”.
As for whether their mind is on the upcoming game against Panathinaikos in OAKA, he said: “No, not at all. We are only thinking about Cedevita. We are focused at every practice, every day. We need to learn to accept the information and analysis for the opponent as well as how we play and how our opponents play. We are also happy that we are playing in front of our fans and not in an empty gym, the fans are going to give us the push we need to get the victory”.
D J STRAWEBERRY: “We need to play with confidence, play hard defense and take the easy shots our opponents are going to allow. The key for us is going to be the defense we play and we need to give it all in that aspect. This will find us the scoring in the fast break and help us move with our game”.