Sfairopoulos: «We need to follow our plan»
Olympiacos is hosting Panathinaikos SUPERFOODS on Friday (06/01/2017, 20:00 CET) for the 16th day of the Euroleague and Giannis Sfairopoulos commented on the upcoming game against the 'greens'.
"Good evening, Happy New Year to everyone, hope everyone stays healthy. It's the first game of the year and an important one for us. It's both a Euroleague game and a derby against Panathinaikos. We all know the importance of this game. We look at it as yet another Euroleague home game against a very good team, just like the many like that we have played up to now and the ones we are going to play in the future. We have had the chance to rest the team following the game against Fenerbahce. Freshen it up and work on this game for five days. I think that despite the injuries we have done a pretty good job. We have one practice session tonight and one tomorrow morning. We need to follow our plan on both ends of the floor. I've heard we have a sold out and hope the fans support the team always in a sporting manner" the Greek coach said at first.
Questioned about the three games the team has to play against the Greek Cup winners in January, the Greek coach answered that "we cannot be talking for three games that we are going to be play in January when tomorrow we have to play one of those. We cannot be talking about psychology in January when we have already won two games up to now. So the game will not be a showcase of these elements I should think. This game has nothing to do with the previous ones; we look at it as a totally separate one. We play against a very good team like Panathinaikos, they have changed their coach, we had won in the first round in OAKA and we need to remain focused, and do what we have to do in the court to win the game".
Giannis Sfairopoulos was asked how Printezis and Spanoulis are doing in regard to their injuries and explained that "Printezis is ahead with rehabilitation, he has practiced twice with the team, he's not 100%, but he's at our disposal to decide whether he plays. The same goes for Spanoulis, he's not that well though in regard to his injury. I believe he's going to be able to play. Tonight at practice we are going to see how he's doing, but I think he's gonna play".
Asked about the readiness level of Dominic Waters, the Greek coach stressed that "Waters is a player that we knew what he can give us when we acquired him, he's a player that can organize the team, can score and can pass and he's good at guarding the ball even not close to it. He has the experience and he has proved that he can be quickly incorporated in the team. Of course he cannot be completely aligned with our playing parameters, since he has not yet played an official game, but beginning from this game, he's going to be at a very good level, he's going to be ready to help for as long he's in the court".
Gabriel, Gentile and James are going to be included in Panathinaikos' roster for tomorrow's game and the 49year old coach was asked how much this changes his plans in comparison to the first round game. "Yes, they are three players that had not played in the first round. Their roster is complete now and this is better because we know who they are, we know who we are going to be dealing with and we know what we need to be doing to stop them".
As for Dimitris Agravanis, the Greek coach explained that "Agravanis has also entered the equation, he has some problems with his shoulder, but he's also ready to play".
Asked about the fan factor and sold out he said: "I have said it many more times before, this year the Euroleague is very tough and the fans should be helping the team as much as they can, I know there is a huge crisis in the country and it's not easy for them to pay for a ticket every other day. They also have the football team, all the other Olympiacos teams that also need supporting… However, I think that we deserve to have the fans by our side, we have been trying really hard, we have won important games, we have also lost some, but you cannot be winning all the time. We would have liked to, but it's not possible. I hope the fans give our players boost with their voice our players tomorrow and every time. We need to have a 'hot' but always sporting atmosphere".
GIORGOS PRINTEZIS: "Fortunately it wasn't something serious as we had feared in the beginning. I practiced a whole session with the team and I will be playing. It's one of the many games we are going to be playing this season. We both want to win, it's not going to decide anything, however, a victory is going to bring us closer to the top eight and the advantage. We look at it as just another game. Injuries take a toll on a team in the long run. You will somehow find the way when it's only one game. However, we are a team and that's the most important thing. The team is winning. We all know that Panathinaikos has gotten better. I think that have done the best they could on both an individual and coaching level. The games between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos are always going to be special, just like the teams are, you can never know how they are going to go. We want to run, we play in our home court, we need to keep turnovers low, not allow them to run or find rhythm. Everything plays a role in a derby though.
Not just one thing. Percentages, rebounding, everything. Everyone with Olympiacos is able to manage both the greatest victory and the sorest defeat. It's only one game, who ever deserves it will win".