Sfairopoulos: «A crucial game»
Olympiacos is hosting Zalgiris Kaunas on Friday (10/02, 20.00 CET) for the Euroleague 22nd day and Giannis Sfairopoulos thinks the game against the Lithuanian team is crucial.
"We play a very important game tomorrow, a game we need to be ready to cope with, since we are playing a very combative team, a team that fights in their games one coming from three consecutive victories. They have a good momentum, they are quite the tough team, a team that attacks with various ways and we need to neutralize all these ways with our defense. On the other hand, we need to impose our tempo in the offense and since we play in our gym we want to control the game. I can say this is a crucial game, we want our fans by our side, we want a full gym, I have said that before. Coming closer to the end of the regular season, each home game is even more important than the previous one and the fans should contribute with their voices so as to achieve our goals" the Greek coach said at first.
Asked on whether he's mostly 'afraid' of Zalgiris' tempo, the Greek coach answered that "It's not just the tempo, they have transition game, they attack fast, but they also have good organization on both ends of the floor and in the set game. They can equally attack from the low post, from shots that come from screens or pick n' rolls. We need to be ready for every situation we are going to face. We are not afraid, but we need to do the things we have talked about correctly and remain focused".
In regard to the injured players, Giannis Sfairopoulos answered that «Spanoulis has already joined the team, he's been practicing and will be playing, he has overcome his injury. Papapetrou has not practiced with the team at all, he has a lower back problem and his participation tomorrow is extremely difficult. We'll see in the last minute. As far as Young is concerned, he's been having treatments for his knee, for his tendonitis and I think it's going to take some more time for him to come back. Tendonitis is mainly due to fatigue".
NIKOLA MILUTINOV: « It's going to be a tough game for us, they are in good shape, they've been playing well. Defense is going to be the key for this game. We need to first of all take care of our defensive end, offense comes next. We just played one game in Kazan. We need to remain this way, give it all and continue playing like that. It's very important that Vassilis is returning and I don't need saying how important Vassilis is for all the players and the team. I always try for the best, always for the team. They have strong big players, but they also have good players in all the other positions and we need to be careful and not focus on any one player only".
GIANNIS ATHINAIOU: «All games are a 'must' for us, there is no game that we see in any other way. We want to set the rhythm, follow the coaches' plan and win. They play as team, they play for one another, they have good automations, they know one another very well, above all else they are a team and they have won big games. We need to show how much we want the victory from the first moment we get on the floor, set the tempo and play our game».