Statements by Messrs. Angelopoulos
Messrs. Giorgos and Panagiotis Angelopoulos talked after the end of the honorary game for Dusan Ivkovic to the COSMOTE TV camera.
The Presidents talked about:
What Dusan Ivkovic meant for Olympiacos
Giorgos Angelopoulos: «It wasn't just a thing of our presidency. We started out as fans. We saw him in the Rome Final Four in 1997. We were crazy about him until then and became even more enamored then. In Constantinople in 2012 we probably got to experience the best basketball moments of recent history. When we entered the Ecumenical Patriarchate as the Champions of Europe, after everything that had happened in Greece, with no titles won and following constant scrutiny, vindication came with Dusan Ivkovic. So I think those were magical moments».
Panagiotis Angelopoulos: «Tonight was a unique one. Olympiacos proved to know how to honor its history and its opponents know how to honor Olympiacos and its history. Because when everyone comes here from all over Europe, players that are basketball legends and coaches that had been opponents, they practically pay tribute to Olympiacos' history. Because Ivkovic is a part of the history of Olympiacos. That's what I think is the most important message of the evening. Plus how it happened… Acting coaches definitely dream about such an endind to their careers. I believe nothing like that has happened in Europe before. This night has been one of a kind, we all had a great time and I think the coach was moved».
The time out called by Giannis Sfairopoulos who then called Dusan Ivkovic to sit in the Olympiacos bench:
Panagiotis Angelopoulos: «This was a nice surprise. We hadn't known about it. This was a great moment».
What they keep from their conversations with Duda
Giorgos Angelopoulos: «He loves us and we love him. There is honesty, respect and admiration. That's it. That's what you see anyway, there is nothing else».
Panagiotis Angelopoulos: «The coach will always be thinking about Olympiacos, he said so yesterday. I hope that this season, since the Final Four will be held in his country, we are going to be there and he will be in our corner».
This season's team
Giorgos Angelopoulos: «Tonight the important thing was charity and honoring Ivkovic. You cannot say anything about the team, it's way too early. However, the team is good, we are optimistic; it seems we are better than last season, but everything will show on the floor. It's still very early».
Panagiotis Angelopoulos: «The team is fuller, the season will be fuller. If I'm not mistaken, weeks that hold two Euroleague games are five instead of four. This adds extra difficulty. It's also the second season with this system, so coaches and players are better equipped to deal with it. I hope we gradually achieve our goals».
Τhe trophies on the floor and whether they are good omens
Panagiotis Angelopoulos: «That's your thinking only. I told you what I think is a good omen. We got to honor Ivkovic and the Final Four is in Belgrade. That's what I said».