Sfairopoulos: «We are only looking at game no 1»
Olympiacos is hosting Anadolu Efes on Wednesday (19/04, 20:00 CET) for the first quarter final of the Euroleague Play-offs and Giannis Sfairopoulos talked about the game against the Turkish team.
"We are entering the play-offs phase and they are the games we've been waiting for time. We began with the Regular season on October and have worked very hard during that 6 and a half months period to win home court. Right now, beginning with the play-offs, we have the chance, by guarding home court to win the coveted Final Four qualification. Nevertheless, this is not easy, because we are playing against a very good and competitive team, that's in a great shape in the last couple of months. Efes is a team that plays at high tempo, they have found chemistry and they have players that can all hurt you. We have been working the whole year for these games. The way we have worked throughout the season and what we are asking from the players to do on the court are exactly what we need them to do in this game series. We are only looking at game number one, we are not looking at the series as a whole, we've only been focusing on this first game. And now what we need to do is to prepare mentally so as to be ready tomorrow to give this first battle. We are expecting our fans to pack the gym, there are only a few tickets left, we hope we have a sold out and we hope the fans boosts our team with their voice in this very difficult endeavor" the Greek coach said at the beginning.
Asked what the key to winning the series will be, he said "Efes is a high tempo team, keen in running the transition, so controlling the tempo is going to be the key".
On whether his players are motivated enough for the play-offs, the Olympiacos coach stressed that "when you are getting ready to play the play-offs all the players are ready to fight and equally determined. For me, the important thing, except for motivation, is that we have the experience to play games like that, we have players that have played games like that and that counts a lot as to be ready and give 100%".
As for the players that have never been in a Euroleague play-offs game before, Giannis Sfairopoulos had to say: "I think the team is functioning under the same spirit. We are only focusing on the first game. The info they've been getting from the staff and from their team mates experience will be helping them to be more ready in view of these games. We have been preparing each previous game to play at the highest level possible, however, the play-offs are a totally different category, where details matter the most. I think that by working on all the details throughout the season, we are quite ready to play these games right now".
Asked about the team's level of readiness, the explained that "we are in a good shape, we have worked on the last details, there are certain principles, we have incorporated the details and I think we are going to be ready tomorrow".
As for whether they keep at the back of their minds that should things go south in either one of the first couple of games, Olympiacos has proven to be able to win on the road, the coach said that "I wouldn't want to answer this, but I will. There is pressure for the home team, and we have indeed proved to be able to win on the road. We keep in mind that we can play equally well both at home and on the road. But I repeat, we are only looking at game number one".
Finally, in regard to the level of readiness of Patrick Young, the Olympiacos coach said that "I wouldn't like to talk about individual players. To win a play-offs game, all players should be available and well. Each player is valuable and each one needs to be able to give 100%. Either a big or a perimeter player, no matter the position, they need to be playing the best they can. They are all necessary and they all need to give 100%".
NIKOLA MILUTINOV: "We have worked hard in the last days for these games and we are all ready. We have been waiting to play the play-offs the whole season. They are a very good offensive team, they play fast, they are the top at offensive rebounding. It's going to be a tough series, but I believe we are going to be as good as we have to be to win the series. We need to control the tempo and get the rebounds. They are good at every aspect of the offense and we need to be prepared for all, not just for the offensive rebounds" the Serbian center originally said, who was asked about guarding Bryant Dunston. "He's a good player and it will be hard to stop him. Not just him, but his very good team mates as well".
KOSTAS PAPANIKOLAOU: "Efes has been playing very well in the whole second round of the Regular Season and that's why they are at the TOP8. They have a lot of talent in the offense and big bodies. They lead on offensive rebounding, they like to run the fast break and the fast pace. I think that offensive boards, easy scoring and the fast break are the elements we need to be focusing on, something that we didn't do in our recent game in Turkey. They were free to play their game and we lost. It's not the game per se, the important thing for us to start the game as tough as we used to be playing throughout the season, focus at one game at a time, be 100% focused and play up to our standards and begin on a right not getting the victory" Kostas Papanikolaou said at first, who was also asked if home court advantage puts extra pressure "I think that's what we've been fighting for the whole season. This gives us the chance to play the first two games at home, which I think is really important and for our fans to be by our side. I think this team has been seasoned for games like that, we have the experience to cope and I believe that it's a matter of will and focus to be ready. They are high level games and the first step for the what comes next. We need to be 100% ready and there no excuses".